OFFICE OF APPLIED STUDIES

Summary of Findings from the

1998 National Household Survey

on Drug Abuse

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
ii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This report was prepared by the Division of Population Surveys, OAS, SAMHSA, and the Research

Triangle Institute (RTI), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Work by RTI was performed under

Contract No.: 283-98-9008. Significant contributors at RTI include Lisa E. Packer, Teresa R. Davis,

Larry A. Kroutil, Brenda K. Porter, James R. Chromy, and Tom Virag (Project Director). Significant

contributors from SAMHSA include Joseph Gfroerer, Doug Wright, Joe Gustin, Janet Greenblatt, Joan

Epstein, and Andrea Kopstein. Graphics and formatting of the report were done by Maria T. Rivero.

PUBLIC DOMAIN NOTICE

All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without

permission from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Citation of the source

is appreciated.

OBTAINING ADDITIONAL COPIES OF PUBLICATION

Copies may be obtained, free of charge, from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug

Information (NCADI). The NCADI is a service of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA). For copies of publications, please write or call:

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)

P.O. Box 2345

Rockville, MD 20847-2345

(301) 468-2600 1-800-729-6686 TDD 1-800-487-4889

ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO PUBLICATION

This publication can be accessed electronically through the Internet World Wide Web connections listed

below.

World Wide Web Internet Connections: http://www.samhsa.gov

http://www.health.org

ORIGINATING OFFICE

SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies

5600 Fishers Lane, Room 16-105

Rockville, MD 20857

August 1999
iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1. Introduction ...............................................................5

Summary of NHSDA Methodology ..........................................5

 Revised Methodology and Adjustment of 1979-1993 Estimates ....................6

 Format of Report and Explanation of Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

 Other NHSDA Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2. Any Illicit Drug Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

3. Marijuana and Hashish Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

4. Cocaine Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

5. Other Illicit Drug Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

6. Alcohol Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

7. Tobacco Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

8. Trends in Initiation of Drug Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

9. Perceived Risk of Harm and Other Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

10. Substance Dependence and Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

11. California and Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

12. Discussion of Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Appendices:

Appendix 1: Description of the Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Appendix 2: Limitations of the Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Appendix 3: Other Sources of Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Appendix 4: References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Appendix 5: Detailed Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
iv

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1A Estimated Numbers of Persons (in Thousands) in the U.S. Population Aged 12 

and Older, by Age Group, Race/Ethnicity, and Gender: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

1N Survey Sample Sizes for All Respondents Aged 12 and Older, by Age Group,

Race/Ethnicity, and Gender: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

2A Estimated Numbers of Persons (in Thousands) in the U.S. Population Aged 12

and Older, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . 60

2N Survey Sample Sizes for All Respondents Aged 12 and Older, by Age Group and

Demographic Characteristics: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

3A Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Lifetime Users of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and 

Tobacco in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

3B Percentages Reporting Lifetime Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the 

U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

4A Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Past Year Users of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and 

Tobacco in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

4B Percentages Reporting Past Year Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the 

U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

5A Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Past Month Users of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and

Tobacco in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

5B Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the 

U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

6 Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, 

Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older: 1997 and 1998 . . . . 68

7 Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, 

Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. Population Aged 12 to 17: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . 69

8 Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, 

Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. Population Aged 18 to 25: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . 70

9 Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, 

Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. Population Aged 26 to 34: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . 71

10 Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, 

Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. Population Aged 35 and Older: 1997 and 1998 . . . . 72
v

LIST OF TABLES (Cont’d)

Table Page

11 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Any Illicit Drug, by Age Group, Race/

Ethnicity, and Gender: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

12 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Marijuana, by Age Group, Race/Ethnicity, 

and Gender: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

13 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Cocaine, by Age Group, Race/Ethnicity, 

and Gender: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

14 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Alcohol, by Age Group, Race/Ethnicity, 

and Gender: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

15 Percentages Reporting Past Month "Binge" Alcohol Use, by Age Group, Race/

Ethnicity, and Gender: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

16 Percentages Reporting Past Month Heavy Alcohol Use, by Age Group, Race/

Ethnicity, and Gender: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

17 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Cigarettes, by Age Group, Race/Ethnicity, 

and Gender: 1979-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

18A Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Marijuana, Cocaine, and Alcohol Users in the 

U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older, by Past Year Frequency of Use: 1985-1998 . . . . 80

18B Percentages Reporting Marijuana, Cocaine, and Alcohol Use in the U.S. Population 

Aged 12 and Older, by Past Year Frequency of Use: 1985-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

19 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Any Illicit Drug, by Age Group and 

Demographic Characteristics: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

20 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Marijuana, by Age Group and Demographic 

Characteristics: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

21 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Cocaine, by Age Group and Demographic 

Characteristics: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

22 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Alcohol, by Age Group and Demographic 

Characteristics: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

23 Percentages Reporting Past Month "Binge" Alcohol Use, by Age Group and 

Demographic Characteristics: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

24 Percentages Reporting Past Month Heavy Alcohol Use, by Age Group and 

Demographic Characteristics: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
vi

LIST OF TABLES (Cont’d)

Table Page

25 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Cigarettes, by Age Group and Demographic 

Characteristics: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

26 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Cigars, by Age Group and Demographic

Characteristics: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

27 Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Any Illicit Drug, 

by Detailed Age Categories: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

28 Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Marijuana, by

Detailed Age Categories: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

29 Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Cocaine, by

Detailed Age Categories: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

30 Percentages Reporting Past Month Alcohol Use, Past Month “Binge” Alcohol Use, 

and Past Month Heavy Alcohol Use, by Detailed Age Categories: 1997 and 1998 . . . 93

31 Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Cigarettes, by

Detailed Age Categories: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

32 Percentages Reporting Lifetime and Past Month Use of Any Illicit Drug, by Age Group

and Geographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based on 1997 and 1998 Samples . 95

33 Percentages Reporting Lifetime and Past Month Use of Marijuana, by Age Group and

Geographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based on 1997 and 1998 Samples . . . . . 96

34 Percentages Reporting Lifetime and Past Month Use of Cocaine, by Age Group and

Geographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based on 1997 and 1998 Samples . . . . . 97

35 Percentages Reporting Lifetime and Past Month Use of Alcohol, by Age Group and

Geographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based on 1997 and 1998 Samples . . . . . 98

36 Percentages Reporting Past Month “Binge” Alcohol Use and Past Month Heavy Alcohol

Use, by Age Group and Geographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based on 1997 and

1998 Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

37 Percentages Reporting Lifetime and Past Month Use of Cigarettes, by Age Group and

Geographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based on 1997 and 1998 Samples . . . . 100

38 Percentages of Past Month Users of Cigarettes or Alcohol in the U.S. Population 

Aged 12 and Older Reporting Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco, 

by Levels of Past Month Cigarette and Alcohol Use: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
vii

LIST OF TABLES (Cont’d)

Table Page

39 Percentages of Past Month Users of Cigarettes or Alcohol in the U.S. Population 

Aged 12 to 17 Reporting Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco, 

by Levels of Past Month Cigarette and Alcohol Use: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

40A Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Lifetime Users of Specific Hallucinogens, 

Inhalants, Methamphetamine, Needles, and Heroin by Smoking or Sniffing/Snorting It

in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older, By Age Group: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . 103

40B Percentages Reporting Lifetime Use of Specific Hallucinogens, Inhalants, 

Methamphetamine, Needles, and Heroin by Smoking or Sniffing/Snorting It in the 

U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older, by Age Group: 1997 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

41 Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used Marijuana During

Each Year 1965-1997, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates 

of First Use (per 1000 Person-Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs . . 105

42 Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used Cocaine During Each 

Year 1965-1997, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates of 

First Use (per 1000 Person-Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs . . . . . 106

43 Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used Any Inhalant During

Each Year 1965-1997, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates 

of First Use (per 1000 Person-Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs . . 107

44 Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used Any Hallucinogen 

During Each Year 1965-1997, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific 

Rates of First Use (per 1000 Person-Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998

NHSDAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

45 Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used Heroin During Each 

Year 1965-1997, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates of 

First Use (per 1000 Person-Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs . . . . . 109

46 Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used Alcohol During Each 

Year 1965-1996, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates of 

First Use (per 1000 Person-Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs . . . . . 110

47 Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used A Cigarette During

Each Year 1965-1996, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates 

of First Use (per 1000 Person-Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs . . 111

48 Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who Began Daily Cigarette Use During

Each Year 1965-1997, Their Mean Age at First Daily Use, and Annual Age-Specific 

Rates of First Daily Use (per 1000 Person-Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 

NHSDAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
viii

LIST OF TABLES (Cont’d)

Table Page

49 Percentages Reporting About Risk and Availability of Drugs in the U.S. Population 

Aged 12 and Older: 1985-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

50 Percentages Reporting About Risk and Availability of Drugs in the U.S. Population 

Aged 12 to 17: 1985-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

51A Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Past Year Any Illicit Drug Users Reporting Past

Year Health Problems, Emotional and Psychological Problems, Dependency, and

Treatment Due to Any Illicit Drug Use, by Demographic Characteristics: Annual

Averages Based on 1997 and 1998 Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

51B Percentages of Past Year Any Illicit Drug Users Reporting Past Year Health Problems,

Emotional and Psychological Problems, Dependency, and Treatment Due to Any Illicit

Drug Use, by Demographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based on 1997 and 1998

Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

52A Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Past Year Marijuana Users Reporting Past Year

Health Problems, Emotional and Psychological Problems, Dependency, and Treatment

Due to Marijuana Use, by Demographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based on 1997

and 1998 Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

52B Percentages of Past Year Marijuana Users Reporting Past Year Health Problems,

Emotional and Psychological Problems, Dependency, and Treatment Due to Marijuana

Use, by Demographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based on 1997 and 1998

Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

53A Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Past Year Alcohol Users Reporting Past Year

Health Problems, Emotional and Psychological Problems, Dependency, and Treatment

Due to Alcohol Use, by Demographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based on 1997

and 1998 Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

53B Percentages of Past Year Alcohol Users Reporting Past Year Health Problems, Emotional

and Psychological Problems, Dependency, and Treatment Due to Alcohol Use, by

Demographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based on 1997 and 1998 Samples . . 120

54 Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, 

Alcohol, and Tobacco in the Population Aged 12 and Older for California, Arizona, 

and the Remainder of the U.S.: 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

55 Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, 

Alcohol, and Tobacco in the Population Aged 12 to 17 for California, Arizona, and 

the Remainder of the U.S.: 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
ix

LIST OF TABLES (Cont’d)

Table Page

56 Percentages Reporting About Risk and Availability of Drugs in the Population

Aged 12 and Older for California, Arizona, and the Remainder of the U.S.: 

1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

57 Percentages Reporting About Risk and Availability of Drugs for California, Arizona, and

the Remainder of the U.S., by Age Group: 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

58 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco for

California, by Age Group: 1994-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

59 Percentages Reporting About Risk and Availability of Drugs for California, by Age

Group: 1995-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

60 Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco for

Arizona, by Age Group: 1994-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

61 Percentages Reporting About Risk and Availability of Drugs for Arizona, by Age Group: 

1994-1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
x
1

HIGHLIGHTS

This report presents the first results from the 1998 National Household Survey on

Drug Abuse, an annual survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Services Administration (SAMHSA). This survey has been the primary source of

estimates of the prevalence and incidence of illicit drug, alcohol, and tobacco use in the

population since 1971. The survey is based on a nationally representative sample of the

civilian, noninstitutionalized population of the United States age 12 years and older. A

sample of 25,500 persons was interviewed for the 1998 survey; this sample included

augmented samples in California and Arizona (4,903 and 3,869 respectively). Selected

findings are presented below:

Illicit Drug Use

 An estimated 13.6 million Americans were current users of illicit drugs in 1998,

meaning they used an illicit drug at least once during the 30 days prior to the

interview. Although this number is slightly less than the 13.9 million estimate for

1997, the difference is not statistically significant. By comparison, the number of

current illicit drug users was at its highest level in 1979 when the estimate was 25.0

million.

 9.9 percent of youths age 12-17 reported current use of illicit drugs in 1998. This

estimate represents a statistically significant decrease from the estimate of 11.4

percent in 1997. The rate was highest in 1979 (16.3 percent), declined to 5.3 percent

in 1992, then increased to 10.9 percent in 1995. The percent of youth reporting

current use of illicit drugs has fluctuated since 1995 (9.0 percent in 1996 and 11.4

percent in 1997).

 8.3 percent of youths age 12-17 were current users of marijuana in 1998. The

prevalence of marijuana use among youth did not change significantly between 1997

when it was 9.4 percent and 1998 when it was 8.3 percent. Youth marijuana use

reached a peak of 14.2 percent in 1979, declined to 3.4 percent in 1992, more than

doubled from 1992 to 1995 (8.2 percent), and has fluctuated since then (7.1 in 1996

and 9.4 percent in 1997). 

 An estimated 1.8 million (0.8 percent) Americans age 12 and older were current users

of cocaine in 1998. The estimate was 1.5 million (0.7 percent) in 1997; but the

difference is not statistically significant. Cocaine use reached a peak of 5.7 million or

3.0 percent of the population in 1985.

 The percent of youths reporting current use of inhalants decreased significantly from

2.0 percent in 1997 to 1.1 percent in 1998.

 An estimated 4.1 million people met diagnostic criteria for dependence on illicit drugs

in 1997 and 1998, including 1.1 million youths age 12-17.
2

Alcohol Use

 In 1998, 113 million Americans age 12 and older reported current use of alcohol,

meaning they used alcohol at least once during the 30 days prior to the interview. 

About 33 million of this group engaged in binge drinking, meaning they drank 5 or

more drinks on one occasion during that 30 day period. 12 million were heavy

drinkers, meaning they had 5 or more drinks on one occasion 5 or more days during

the past 30 days. The percentages of the population falling into these different groups

have not changed since 1988.

 Although consumption of alcoholic beverages is illegal for those under 21 years of

age, 10.5 million current drinkers were age 12-20 in 1998. Of this group, 5.1 million

engaged in binge drinking, including 2.3 million who would also be classified as

heavy drinkers. There have been no statistically significant changes in the rates of

underage drinking since 1994.

Tobacco Use

 An estimated 60 million Americans age 12 and older reported current cigarette use,

meaning smoking cigarettes at least once during the 30 days prior to the interview. 

This estimate represents a rate of 27.7 percent, which is a statistically significant

decline from the 1997 rate of 29.6 percent.

 The current rate of smoking among young adults age 18-25 has increased from 34.6

percent in 1994 to 40.6 percent in 1997 and 41.6 percent in 1998.

 An estimated 18.2 percent of youths age 12-17, or 4.1 million, were current cigarette

smokers in 1998. There was no significant change in this rate between 1997 (19.9

percent) and 1998; the rate for this group has remained relatively stable since 1988.

 Youths age 12-17 who currently smoked cigarettes were 11.4 times more likely to use

illicit drugs and 16 times more likely to drink heavily than nonsmoking youths.

 The rate of current cigar use among those 12 and older increased from 5.9 percent in

1997 to 6.9 percent in 1998, a statistically significant increase. An estimated 5.6

percent of youths age 12-17 were current cigar smokers in 1998. This compares to

5.0 percent in 1997, not a statistically significant difference. 

Perceived Risk and Availability of Drugs

 Between 1997 and 1998, there was no change in the percentages of youths age 12-17

reporting great risk from using cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, or alcohol.

 56 percent of youths age 12-17 reported marijuana was easy to obtain in 1998. 21

percent said it was easy to obtain heroin. 14 percent of youths reported being

approached by someone selling drugs during the 30 days prior to the interview. None

of these measures changed significantly between 1997 and 1998.
3

Trends in New Use of Substances (Incidence)

Because information on when people first used a substance is collected on a

retrospective basis, information on first time use or incidence is always one year behind

information on current use.

 An estimated 2.1 million persons first used marijuana in 1997. This translates to

about 5,800 new marijuana users per day. The rate of first use of marijuana among

youths age 12-17 declined significantly from 79 per thousand potential new users in

1996 to 64 per thousand potential new users in 1997. This rate had increased from 38

to 73 between 1991 and 1994; that is, use of marijuana by youths who had never

previously used the substance doubled during that time period. The youth incidence

rate was stable from 1994 to 1996.

 An estimated 81,000 persons used heroin for the first time in 1997. The rate of

initiation for youths from 1994 to 1997 was at the highest level since the early 1970s.

 There were an estimated 730,000 new cocaine users in 1997. The rate of new use

among youths did not change between 1996 (11.1) and 1997 (10.8). However, there

was a statistically significant increase in the rate from 1991 (4.1) to 1997. The 1997

rate for youths is similar to the high initiation rates of the early 1980s.

 There were an estimated 1.1 million new hallucinogen users in 1997. The rate of

initiation among youths age 12-17 increased between 1991 and 1995, from 11.1 to

25.0 per thousand potential new users, and was constant from 1995 to 1997 (23.9).

 An estimated 2.1 million people began smoking cigarettes daily in 1997. More than

half of these new smokers were younger than age 18, which translates to more than

3,000 new youth smokers per day.

Drug Use in California and Arizona

 In 1998, the prevalence of illicit drug use among persons 12 years and older was 7.2

percent in California, 7.4 percent in Arizona, and 6.1 percent in the rest of the United

States. These differences are not statistically significant.

 14.4 percent of the youths age 12-17 in Arizona were current drug users in 1998. The

rate in Arizona was significantly greater than the rates in California (9.9 percent) and

in the rest of the United States (9.9 percent).

 There was no significant change in illicit drug use in California between 1997 and

1998, either for youths or for adults. By contrast there were significant decreases in

Arizona during the same period in the rates of illicit drug use among youths age 12-17

and young adults 18-25 years of age.

 In 1997 Californians and Arizonians were less likely than other Americans to perceive

great risk in using marijuana.
4
5

1. INTRODUCTION

This report contains 1998 national estimates of rates of use, numbers of users, and other

measures related to illicit drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and other forms of tobacco. These estimates

are from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA), an ongoing survey of the

civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States, 12 years old and older.

Summary of NHSDA Methodology

The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse is the primary source of statistical

information on the use of illegal drugs by the United States population. Conducted by the

Federal Government since 1971, the survey collects data by administering questionnaires to a

representative sample of the population at their place of residence. Since October 1, 1992, the

survey has been sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

(SAMHSA).

The survey covers residents of households, noninstitutional group quarters (e.g., shelters,

rooming houses, dormitories), and civilians living on military bases. Persons excluded from the

survey include homeless people who do not use shelters, active military personnel, and residents

of institutional group quarters, such as jails and hospitals. Appendix 3 describes surveys that

cover populations not included in the NHSDA sampling frame.

The 1998 NHSDA employed a multistage area probability sample which resulted in

interviews with 25,500 persons. This survey was conducted from January through December

1998. Response rates for household screening and for interviewing were 93.0 percent and 77.0

percent, respectively. The sample design oversampled blacks, Hispanics, and young people, to

improve the accuracy of estimates for those populations. In addition, residents of Arizona and

California were oversampled to provide direct survey estimates for these state populations. This

expansion of the sample was initiated in April, 1997 to measure the impact of propositions

related to illicit drugs that were passed by voters in these States in 1996.

The household interview takes an average of about one hour to complete and uses selfadministered answer sheets for the most sensitive portions of the interview. Use of these selfadministered answer sheets is designed to maximize honest reporting of illicit drug use and other

sensitive behaviors. The self-administered answer sheet includes questions on the recency and

frequency of use of various licit and illicit drugs, opinions about drugs, problems associated with

drug use, perceived need and demand for drug abuse treatment, and drug abuse treatment

experience. Also collected in interviewer-administered portions of the 1998 questionnaire are

data on demographic characteristics, employment, education, income, health status, health

insurance, utilization of services, and access to health care.

A major change in the NHSDA design is being implemented during 1999. This change

will significantly affect the results that will be reported next year. Beginning in 1999, data are

being collected using computer assisted interviewing, including audio computer assisted self

interviewing in place of the paper answer sheets used in 1998 and earlier. In addition, the

NHSDA sample was expanded in 1999 to conduct 70,000 interviews per year, with the capability

of providing state-level estimates of substance use prevalence.
6

Revised Methodology and Adjustment of 1979-93 Estimates

SAMHSA has allocated substantial resources to improve the NHSDA measurement of

substance use and related issues for use in policymaking. A series of studies was conducted

during 1988-1992 to evaluate the survey methodology (Turner, Lessler, and Gfroerer 1992). 

These studies identified a number of potential improvements to the NHSDA questionnaire. 

Based on these studies, and consultations with drug survey researchers and data users, an

improved instrument was developed, tested, and fielded in 1994.

When the new questionnaire was introduced in 1994, a supplemental sample was selected

for use with the old methodology (i.e., identical to 1993). This provided the capability to assess

the impact of the new questionnaire and to measure the effects of the change in methodology. 

Analyses of the 1994 data have shown that the new methodology had a minimal effect on some

estimates, but the effect on others was substantial. A separate SAMHSA report provides details

on the development of the new questionnaire and the impact of the new methodology on

substance use estimates (SAMHSA 1996a).

Because of the change in methodology in 1994, many of the estimates from the 1993 and

earlier NHSDAs are not directly comparable to estimates from the 1994 and later NHSDAs. 

Since it is important to describe long-term trends in drug use accurately, an adjustment procedure

was developed and applied to the pre-1994 estimates. This adjustment uses the 1994

supplemental sample to estimate the magnitude of the impact of the new methodology for each

drug category. A description of the adjustment method is given in Appendix 2.

Readers need to be aware that all 1979-93 data shown in this report are different from

previously published NHSDA estimates for 1979-93. Because the adjustments were developed

from sample survey data, they are subject to sampling error and, therefore, may in some cases

introduce additional variation into trends. This is particularly true for estimates of rare behaviors

and for small subgroups.

Format of the Report and Explanation of Tables

Summaries of the 1998 NHSDA results are presented for several categories of drugs. For

each drug category, recent trends and differences in use among population subgroups are

described. An analysis of trends in the initiation of substance use and an analysis of data on

perceived risk of harm and other measures are contained in sections following the drug use

prevalence analyses. Estimates of substance dependence and treatment and some results from the

California and Arizona supplemental samples follow. A discussion of the NHSDA findings is

given at the end of the report. Technical appendices 1, 2 and 3 provide more detail on the

NHSDA methodology, limitations of the data, and other sources of data. Appendix 4 provides a

list of references related to the NHSDA, other substance abuse surveys, and survey methods. 

Detailed tabulations of NHSDA data are provided in Appendix 5.

The tables and analyses focus primarily on recent trends, from 1997 to 1998. Long term

trends are also presented and discussed, but due to the limitations of the procedure used to adjust

for the differences between the pre- and post-1994 methodology, it is not possible to analyze

these data in as much detail. As indicated in the tables, statistical significance testing was done

for comparisons between 1998 and prior years. Significance levels are indicated in the tables,
7

and all changes described in the text as increases or decreases were tested and found to be

significant at least at the .05 level, unless otherwise stated.

Tables and text present prevalence measures in terms of both the number of drug users

and the rate of drug use in the population. Tables show estimates of drug use prevalence in

lifetime (i.e., ever used), past year, and past month. The analysis focuses primarily on past

month use, which is also referred to as "current use."

Data are presented for three major racial/ethnic groups: whites, blacks, and Hispanics. A

fourth category, "Other," includes Asian and Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Alaskan

Natives, and other groups. It should be noted that the category "white" includes only nonHispanic whites, the category "black" includes only non-Hispanic blacks, and the category

"Hispanic" includes Hispanics of any race.

Data are also presented for four U.S. geographic regions and nine geographic divisions

within these regions. These regions and divisions include the following groups of States:

Northeast Region - New England Division: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut; Mid-Atlantic Division: New York, New Jersey,

Pennsylvania.

North Central Region - East North Central Division: Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan,

Indiana, Ohio; West North Central Division: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska,

Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri.

South Region - South Atlantic Division: West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware,

District of Columbia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida; East South Central

Division: Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama; West South Central Division:

Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana.

West Region - Mountain Division: Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado,

Wyoming, Montana; Pacific Division: California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska.

The tables also present data by population density. For this variable, large metropolitan

areas are defined as Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) with a population of 1 million or

more. Small metropolitan areas are MSAs with a population of less than 1 million. 

Nonmetropolitan areas are areas outside of MSAs. For some tables, small metropolitan areas are

further classified as having either less than or greater than 250,000 population, and

nonmetropolitan areas are classified as either urban or rural. In this report, all rural estimates are

based on only nonmetropolitan rural areas. Tables showing data for the more detailed population

density categories and the geographic divisions are based on the combined 1997 and 1998

NHSDA data sets, to ensure large enough sample sizes for these categories. For 1993 and later

estimates, 1990 Census data and 1990 MSA classifications were used to determine population

density. For 1992 estimates, 1990 Census counts and 1984 MSA classifications were used.

Other than presenting results by age group and other basic demographic characteristics,

no attempt is made in this report to control for potentially confounding factors that might help

explain the observed differences. This point is particularly salient with respect to race/ethnicity,
8

which tends to be highly associated with socioeconomic characteristics. The cross-sectional

nature of the data limits the capability to infer causal relationships. Nevertheless, the data

presented in this report are useful for indicating demographic subgroups with relatively high (or

low) rates of drug use, regardless of what the underlying reasons for those differences might be.

Other NHSDA Reports

Two other reports are produced from the NHSDA data each year. "Population Estimates"

contains additional detailed tabulations of 1998 data and is released along with this report. 

"Main Findings" for 1998 contains more comprehensive analyses and discussion of the results,

including trends, and more detail on the survey methodology. “Main Findings” will be released

early in 2000.

The Office of Applied Studies has also conducted more specialized, in-depth analyses

using NHSDA data on specific substance abuse issues (see list of references in Appendix 4). 

Recent studies either completed or in progress include:

 The Relationship Between Mental Health and Substance Abuse Among Adolescents

 Substance Use and Mental Health Characteristics by Employment Status

 Worker Drug Use and Workplace Issues, 1994 and 1997

 Patterns of Alcohol Use Among Adolescents and Associations with Emotional and

Behavioral Problems

 Substance Use Among Adults on Probation

 Substance Use Among School Dropouts

 Risk and Protective Factors for Adolescent Drug Use

 Seasonability of Substance Use

A complete listing of previously published reports from the NHSDA and other data

sources is available from the Office of Applied Studies. Many of these reports are also available

through the Internet (see Acknowledgments page). In addition, OAS makes public use data files

available to researchers through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data Archive

(www.icpsr.umich.edu/samhda). Currently, files are available from the 1979-1997 NHSDAs. 

The 1998 public use file will be available in early 2000. Secondary analysis of these data can be

supported through grants awarded by the Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research,

National Institute on Drug Abuse.
21%

60%

19%

13.6 Million Illicit Drug Users

Figure 1. Types of Drugs Used by Past

Month Illicit Drug Users: 1998

Marijuana

Only

Marijuana and

 Some Other

 Drug

 Only Drug

 Other Than

Marijuana

9

2. ANY ILLICIT DRUG USE

 In 1998, an estimated 13.6 million Americans were current illicit drug users, meaning they

had used an illicit drug in the month prior to interview. This represents 6.2 percent of the

population 12 years old and older.

 Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug, used by 81 percent of current illicit drug

users. Approximately 60 percent of current illicit drug users used only marijuana, 21 percent

used marijuana and another illicit drug, and the remaining 19 percent used an illicit drug but

not marijuana in the past month. Therefore, about 40 percent of current illicit drug users in

1998 (an estimated 5.4 million Americans) were current users of illicit drugs other than

marijuana and hashish (with or without the use of marijuana) (Figure 1).

 The number of current illicit drug users did not change significantly between 1997 and 1998

(13.9 and 13.6 million, respectively). The number of current illicit drug users was at its

highest level in 1979 (25.4 million, 14.1 percent), declined until 1992 (12.0 million, 5.8

percent), and appears to have increased slightly, but this increase is not statistically

significant (Figure 2).

 Rates of use of marijuana, psychotherapeutics, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and inhalants

in the total population age 12 and older did not change between 1997 and 1998 (Figure 3). 

The rate of hallucinogen use increased and the rate of tranquilizer use decreased between

1992 and 1998.
10
11

Age

 Rates of drug use show substantial variation by age. Among youth age 12-13, 2.9 percent

were current illicit drug users. The highest rates were found among young people ages 16-17

(16.4 percent), age 18-20 (19.9 percent), and age 21-25 (13.5 percent). The rates of use

generally decline in each successively older age group, with only 0.7 percent of persons age

50 and older reporting current illicit use (Figure 4).

 Nearly half of young adults age 21-29 had tried illicit drugs at least once in their lifetime, and

10.6 percent were current users. More than half of adults age 30-44 had tried illicit drugs, but

rate of current use was only 6.8 percent for those age 30-44.

 In 1998, about a third (32.3 percent) of illicit drug users were age 35 and older. This has not

changed much since 1991, when 29.4 percent of illicit drug users were age 35 and older. In

1979, the peak year for drug use prevalence, only 10.3 percent of drug users were age 35 and

older.
12

 The percentage of adolescents (12-17 years old) using drugs decreased between 1997 and

1998 from 11.4 percent to 9.9 percent. In 1992, the rate of past month use among youth age

12-17 reached a low of 5.3 percent, the result of a decline from 16.3 percent in 1979. By

1995 the rate had climbed back up to 10.9 percent. Since then the rate has fluctuated from 9

to 11 percent (Figure 5). These trends are generally consistent with data from the Monitoring

the Future surveys of students, which indicate increasing use from 1992 to1996, a leveling in

1997, and a slight decrease in 1998.

 Between 1997 and 1998, the percentage of adults reporting past month illicit drug use

remained about the same. In 1998 the rates were 16.1 percent for persons age 18-25, 7.0

percent for those age 26-34, and 3.3 percent for those age 35 and older (Figure 5).

 The rate of past month illicit drug use among youths was higher among those that were

currently using cigarettes or alcohol, compared with youths not using cigarettes or alcohol. In

1998, 3.4 percent of youth nonsmokers used illicit drugs, while among youths who used

cigarettes, the rate of past month illicit drug use was 39.1 percent. The rate of illicit drug use

was also associated with the level of alcohol use. Among youths who were heavy drinkers in

1998, 68.5 percent were also current illicit drug users. Among nondrinkers, only 2.9 percent

were current illicit drug users.
13

Race/Ethnicity

 The rate of current illicit drug use for blacks (8.2 percent) remained somewhat higher than for

whites (6.1 percent) and Hispanics (6.1 percent) in 1998. Among youth, the rates of use are

about the same for these three racial/ethnic groups.

 With respect to absolute numbers, most current illicit drug users are white. There were an

estimated 9.9 million whites (72 percent of all users), 2.0 million blacks (15 percent), and 1.4

million Hispanics (10 percent) who were current illicit drug users in 1998.

 There were no changes in rates between 1997 and 1998 for any of the racial/ethnic groups for

age 12 and older.

Gender

 As in prior years, men continued to have a higher rate of current illicit drug use than women

(8.1 percent vs. 4.5 percent) in 1998.

Region/Urbanicity

 The current illicit drug use rate in 1998 was 7.3 percent in the West region, 6.7 percent in the

North Central region, 5.8 percent in the Northeast, and 5.5 percent in the South.

 The rates of illicit drug use in metropolitan areas are higher than rates in nonmetropolitan

areas. Rates were 6.4 percent in large metropolitan areas, 7.0 percent in small metropolitan

areas, and 4.6 percent in nonmetropolitan areas.

 Rural nonmetropolitan areas have lower rates of illicit drug use than other areas. Average

annual rates for 1997 and 1998 were 4.5 percent in rural areas and 6.6 percent in non-rural

areas. Among youth, a similar pattern held, with 8.0 percent of rural youth and 11.2 percent

of non-rural youth using illicit drugs in the past month (Figure 6).
14

Education

 Illicit drug use rates remain highly correlated with educational status. Among young adults

age 26-34 years old in 1998, those who had not completed high school had the highest rate of

current use (9.8 percent), while college graduates had the lowest rate of use (4.8 percent). 

This is despite the fact that young adults at different educational levels are equally as likely to

have tried illicit drugs in their lifetime (49.4 percent of those not completing high school and

47.0 percent of college graduates age 26-34 years).

Employment

 Current employment status is also highly correlated with rates of illicit drug use. An

estimated 18.2 percent of unemployed adults (age 18 and older) were current illicit drug users

in 1998, compared with 6.4 percent of full-time employed adults (Figure 7).

 Although the rate of drug use is higher among the unemployed, most drug users are

employed. Of the 11.4 million adult illicit drug users, 8.3 million (73 percent) were

employed either full time or part time.
15

3. MARIJUANA AND HASHISH USE

 In 1998, an estimated 11.0 million Americans were current (past month) marijuana/hashish

users. This represents 5.0 percent of the population age 12 and older. There was no change

in the number of users or rate of marijuana use between 1997 and 1998.

 Marijuana is by far the most commonly used illicit drug. In 1998, approximately 81 percent

of current illicit drug users were marijuana/hashish users. Because of the dominance of

marijuana, trends and demographic differences are generally similar for any illicit use and

marijuana/hashish use.

 About 1 in 12 youths age 12-17 (8.3 percent) were current marijuana users in 1998. 

Consistent with the trend for any illicit use, the 1998 estimate was lower than the 1997

estimate (9.4 percent), but this was not a statistically significant change in marijuana use.

 The prevalence of current marijuana use among youth more than doubled from 1992 to 1995,

from 3.4 percent to 8.2 percent. Since 1995, the rate has fluctuated, but was about the same

in 1998 as it was in 1995. In addition, similar trends are evident among major demographic

subgroups of youth, including boys and girls, whites, blacks, and Hispanics, in all four

geographic regions, and in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas (Figure 8).

 In 1998 there were an estimated 6.8 million frequent marijuana users, defined as use on at

least 51 days during the past year. This represents a rate of 3.1 percent of the population age

12 and older, and is not different from the rate of 3.0 percent estimated for 1997 (6.4 million

users). However, it is significantly greater than the estimate for 1995 (5.3 million users, or

2.5 percent).
16

4. COCAINE USE

 In 1998, an estimated 1.8 million Americans were current cocaine users. This represents 0.8

percent of the population age 12 and older.

 The number of cocaine users declined from 5.7 million in 1985 (3.0 percent of the

population) to 1.4 million (0.7 percent of the population) in 1992, and has not changed

significantly since then (Figure 9).

 There were an estimated 595,000 (0.3 percent of the population) frequent cocaine users in

1998. Frequent use, defined as use on 51 or more days during the past year, was not different

than in 1997, when there were an estimated 682,000 frequent cocaine users. Since this

measure of frequent cocaine use was first estimated in 1985, no increases or decreases have

been detected. It should be noted that these estimates are subject to large sampling error and

potentially significant underreporting; the trends are believed to be more reliable than the

point estimates.

 The estimated number of occasional cocaine users (people who used in the past year but on

fewer than 12 days) was 2.4 million in 1998, similar to what it had been in 1997 (2.6

million). The number of users decreased from 1985 ( 7.1 million) to 1994 and remained

unchanged since then.

 The estimated number of current crack users was about 437,000 in 1998, and there have been

no changes since 1988.
17

Age

 The highest rate of current cocaine use in 1998 was for those age 18-25 (2.0 percent). This

represents a significant increase over the 1.2 percent observed in 1997. Rates were 0.8

percent for youths age 12-17, 1.2 percent for young adults age 26-34, and 0.5 percent for

adults 35 years and older, and the rates did not change for these groups.

Race/Ethnicity

 Rates of current cocaine use were 1.3 percent for blacks, 1.3 percent for Hispanics, and 0.7

percent for whites in 1998. The rate of cocaine use increased significantly between 1997 and

1998 from 0.8 percent to 1.3 percent for Hispanics and did not change for other racial/ethnic

groups.

Gender

 Men continued to have a higher rate of current cocaine use than women (1.1 percent and 0.5

percent, respectively, in 1998). These rates were similar to rates in 1997 and have been

relatively stable since 1992.

Region/Urbanicity

 In 1998 the rate of current cocaine use was 0.6 percent in the Northeast region and the North

Central region. The South region and the West region had a rate of 1.0 percent.

 Rates of current cocaine use were 0.9 percent in large metropolitan areas, 0.8 percent in small

metropolitan areas, and 0.5 percent in nonmetropolitan areas in 1998.

 Rural areas have lower rates of cocaine use than other areas. Average annual rates for 1997

and 1998 were 0.5 percent in rural nonmetropolitan areas and 0.8 percent in non-rural areas. 

Among youths, a similar pattern held, with 0.4 percent of rural youths and 1.0 percent of nonrural youths using cocaine in the past month.

Education

 Current cocaine use rates were strongly related to educational status. Among adults age 18

and older in 1998, those who had not completed high school had a current use rate of 1.4

percent. The rate was 0.8 percent among those with a high school education, 0.7 percent

among those with some college, and 0.5 percent among college graduates.

Employment

 The rate of current cocaine use was highest among the unemployed, as 3.4 percent of

unemployed adults (age 18 and older) were current cocaine users in 1998, compared with

only 0.9 percent of full-time employed adults and 0.5 percent of part-time employed adults. 

However, in terms of absolute numbers, most cocaine users were employed. Of the 1.6

million adult current cocaine users in 1998, 1.1 million (7.0 percent) were employed either

full or part time.
18

5. OTHER ILLICIT DRUG USE

There were no major changes in the prevalence of the use of inhalants, hallucinogens or

non-medical use of psychotherapeutics for those age 12 and older between 1997 and 1998. 

However, there was decrease in past year heroin use from 0.3 percent to 0.1 percent. Also, the

rate of current inhalant use among youths age 12-17 decreased from 2.0 percent to 1.1 percent,

and the rate of current heroin use among adults age 35 and older decreased from 0.2 percent to

0.0 percent.

 Estimates of heroin use from the NHSDA are considered very conservative due to the

probable underreporting and undercoverage of the population of heroin users. Estimates of

lifetime heroin prevalence have ranged from 2.3 million in 1979 to 1.7 million in 1992, 2

million in 1997, and 2.4 million in 1998. The estimated number of current heroin users was

68,000 in 1993, 117,000 in 1994, 196,000 in 1995, 216,000 in 1996, 325,000 in 1997, and

130,000 in 1998. The estimated number of past year heroin users decreased significantly

from 597,000 in 1997 to 253,000 in 1998. A ratio adjustment procedure that partially adjusts

for underreporting and undercoverage results in a similar trend but estimates that are higher

(See Appendix 2, “Estimation of Heavy Drug Use”).

 Among lifetime heroin users, the proportion who had ever smoked, sniffed, or snorted heroin

increased from 55 percent in 1994 to 75 percent in 1998. At the same time, the proportion

who had ever used heroin with a needle remained unchanged (49 percent in 1994, and 54

percent in 1998)(Figure 10). This trend toward non-injection use of heroin is also evident

among heroin abusers entering publicly-funded treatment programs. In 1992, 77 percent of

heroin treatment admissions were injectors. By 1997, the proportion had dropped to 68

percent.
19

 The rate of current use of hallucinogens did not change between 1997 and 1998 (0.8 percent

in 1997 and 0.7 percent in 1998). The rate of use increased from 1992 to 1995, but remained

steady from 1995 to 1998.

 For inhalants, the overall rate of past month use has remained steady since 1991 (between

0.3-0.4 percent from 1991 through 1998).

 In 1998, the estimated number of persons who have tried methamphetamine in their lifetime

was 4.7 million (2.1 percent of the population). The 1998 estimate was similar to the 1997

estimate (2.5 percent) and the 1994 estimate (1.8 percent). Other data sources have indicated

a substancial increase in methamphetamine use during the 1990s. For example, based on

SAMHSA’s Treatment Episode Data Set, there has been an increase in methamphetamine

admissions to publicly-funded treatment programs from 14,000 in 1992 to 53,000 in 1997.

 The estimated prevalence rate of nonmedical use of psychotherapeutics (tranquilizers,

sedatives, analgesics, or stimulants) in the past month for those 12 and older was 1.2 percent

in 1997 and 1.1 percent in 1998, not a statistically significant change.

6. ALCOHOL USE

Estimates of the prevalence of alcohol use are presented primarily for three levels of use,

defined for this report as follows:

Current use - At least one drink in the past month (includes binge and heavy use).

Binge use - Five or more drinks on the same occasion at least once in the past month

(includes heavy use).

Heavy use - Five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least five different days in the

past month.

 In 1998, approximately 113 million persons age 12 and over were current alcohol users,

which was about 52 percent of the total population age 12 and older. About 33 million

persons (15.7 percent) engaged in binge drinking, and about 12.4 million Americans (5.9

percent of the population) were heavy drinkers.

 Alcohol usage rates among those 12 years and older did not change between 1997 and 1998. 

This was true for all three measures of drinking.

 The level of alcohol use was strongly associated with illicit drug use in 1998, as in prior

years. Of the 12.4 million heavy drinkers, 29.5 percent (3.7 million people) were current

illicit drug users. Among the 20.5 million binge (but not heavy) drinkers, 17.8 percent (3.7

million) were illicit drug users. Other drinkers (i.e., past month but not binge) had a rate of

5.5 percent (4.4 million) for illicit drug use, while only 1.7 percent (1.8 million) of

nondrinkers were illicit drug users.
20

Underage Alcohol Use

 About 10.4 million current drinkers were age 12-20 years old in 1998. Of these, 5.1 million

were binge drinkers, including 2.3 million heavy drinkers.

 The rates of current, binge, and heavy alcohol use among the population age 12-20 years did

not change significantly between 1994 and 1998. Rates in 1998 were 30.6 percent, 15.2

percent, and 6.9 percent, respectively, for current, binge, and heavy use.

 Among youths age 12-20, the rates of alcohol use were highest among those age 18-20,

among whites, males, and among those living in the North Central region. The lowest rates

of use were among blacks, females, and youths living in large metropolitan areas. These

patterns held for all three measures of alcohol use (Figure 11).

Age

 Rates of current alcohol use were above 60 percent for age groups 21-25, 26-29, 30-34, 35-

39, and 40-44 in 1998. For younger and older age groups, rates were lower. Young adult

(18-25 years old) drinkers were the most likely to binge or drink heavily. Among those age

18-25 who had at least one drink in the past month, about 54 percent were binge drinkers and

nearly one in four were heavy drinkers (Figure 11).

 Among youths age 12-17, the rate of current alcohol use was about 50 percent in 1979, fell to

about 21 percent in 1992, and has remained relatively stable since then. Rates of binge and

heavy alcohol use in this age group have also remained relatively stable since 1994.

 The rates of binge and heavy alcohol use among young adults age 18-25 were significantly

higher in 1998 than in 1997, but similar in 1998 to the rates observed in 1996. Binge rates

were 32.0 percent, 28.0 percent, and 31.7 percent in 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively. 

Similarly, heavy drinking rates were 12.9, 11.1, and 13.8 percent in those three years.
21

Race/Ethnicity

 Alcohol use tends to be more moderate among blacks than among other racial/ethnic groups.

In 1998, whites continued to have the highest rate of current alcohol use at 55.3 percent.

Rates for Hispanics and blacks were 45.4 percent and 39.8 percent, respectively. The rate of

binge use was lower among blacks (11.4 percent) than among whites (16.5 percent) and

Hispanics (15.7 percent). Similarly, the rate of heavy use was also lower among blacks (4.9

percent) than among whites (6.0 percent) and Hispanics (6.5 percent).

Gender

 Fifty-nine percent of men were past month alcohol users, compared with 45 percent of

women. Men were much more likely than women to be binge drinkers (23.2 percent and 8.6

percent, respectively) and heavy drinkers (9.7 and 2.4 percent, respectively).

Region/Urbanicity

 The rate of current alcohol use was 58 percent in the North Central region, 56 percent in the

Northeast region, 51 percent in the West region, and 46 percent in the South in 1998. Rates

of binge use were 20 percent in the North Central, 14 percent in the South, 15 percent in the

West, and 13.5 percent in the Northeast. Heavy alcohol use rates were 8.8 percent in the

North Central, 5.6 percent in the South, 4.3 percent in Northeast, and 4.8 percent in the West.

 The rate of past month alcohol use was 54 percent in large metropolitan areas, 53 percent in

small metropolitan areas, but only 45 percent in nonmetropolitan areas. The patterns were

somewhat different for binge and heavy use. Binge and heavy use rates were 14.8 percent

and 5.1 percent, respectively, in large metropolitan areas, 16.8 and 6.8 percent in small

metropolitan areas, and 15.3 and 6.0 percent in nonmetropolitan areas.

 The rate of past month alcohol use for 1997-98 was 42 percent in rural nonmetropolitan areas

and 53 percent in non-rural areas. Rates of binge and heavy alcohol use in rural areas,

however, were similar to the rates in non-rural areas. Among youths age 12-17, rates were

similar in rural and non-rural areas for any use, binge use, and heavy use.

Education

 In contrast to the pattern for illicit drugs, the higher the level of educational attainment, the

more likely was the current use of alcohol. In 1998, 65.5 percent of adults with college

degrees were current drinkers, compared with only 40.4 percent of those having less than a

high school education. Binge alcohol use rates did not vary across different levels of

education. However, the rate of heavy alcohol use was 4.1 percent among adults who had

completed college and 7.8 percent among adults who had not completed high school.
22

7. TOBACCO USE

 An estimated 60 million Americans were current cigarette smokers in 1998. This represents

a smoking rate of 27.7 percent for the population age 12 and older. The rate decrease from

29.6 percent in 1997 is statistically significant.

 Current smokers were more likely than non-smokers to be heavy drinkers and illicit drug

users. Among current smokers, the rate of heavy alcohol use (five or more drinks on the

same occasion on five or more days in the past month) was 14.0 percent, the rate of

marijuana/hashish use was 13.6 percent, and the rate of current illicit drug use was 16.1

percent. Among nonsmokers, only 2.9 percent were heavy drinkers, 1.8 percent were

marijuana/hashish users, and 2.5 percent were illicit drug users.

 An estimated 3.1 percent of the population were current users of smokeless tobacco in 1998. 

The rate has remained steady since 1991.

 An estimated 6.9 percent of the population were current users of cigars in 1998. This

represents a statistically significant increase from 1997, when the rate was 5.9 percent.

Age

 Approximately 4.1 million youth age 12-17 were current smokers in 1998. The rate of

smoking among youth age 12-17 was 18.2 percent. The rate was 18.9 percent in 1994, 20.2

percent in 1995, 18.3 percent in 1996, and 19.9 percent in 1997. There were no statistically

significant changes.

 Youths age 12-17 who currently smoked cigarettes were 11.4 times as likely to use illicit

drugs and 16 times as likely to drink heavily as nonsmoking youths (Figure 12).

 The current smoking rate among young adults age 18-25 continues to follow an upward path

from 34.6 percent in 1994 to 35.3 percent in 1995, 38.3 percent in 1996, 40.6 percent in

1997, and 41.6 percent in 1998. The 1998 rate is significantly higher than the 1994, 1995 and

1996 rates.

 An estimated 5.6 percent of youths age 12-17, or 1.3 million, were current cigar users in

1998. This rate compares to 5.0 percent in 1997; the difference is not statistically significant.

Race/Ethnicity

 In 1998, current smoking rates were 29 percent among blacks, 28 percent among whites, 26

percent among Hispanics, and 24 percent among those of other race/ethnic groups. 

Smokeless tobacco use was more prevalent among whites (3.7 percent) than among blacks

(2.0 percent) or Hispanics (0.8 percent).
23

Gender

 Males had higher rates of smoking than females (29.7 percent vs. 25.7 percent). Among

youths age 12-17, the rates for males and females were similar (18.7 percent for males, 17.7

percent for females). The rate for females age 12-17 years decreased significantly between

1997 and 1998, from 20.7 percent to 17.7 percent.

 The rate of current smokeless tobacco use was significantly higher for men than for women

in 1998 (5.9 percent vs. 0.5 percent). About 91 percent of smokeless tobacco users were

men. Similarly, males were more likely than females to use cigars (11.9 percent vs. 2.3

percent).

Region/Urbanicity

 The rate of current cigarette use was 32.0 percent in the North Central region, 27.9 percent in

the South, 25.5 percent in the Northeast, and 24.5 percent in the West. The rate of smoking

was 26.5 percent in large metropolitan areas, 27.2 percent in small metropolitan areas, and

30.5 percent in nonmetropolitan areas.
24

Education

 Level of educational attainment was correlated with tobacco usage. Fifty percent of adults

age 26-34 who had not completed high school smoked cigarettes, while only 15 percent of

college graduates in this age group smoked. The opposite relationship was found for cigar

use. 10.7 percent of college graduates age 26-34 were current cigar smokers, compared to 7.5

percent of those who had not completed high school.

8. TRENDS IN INITIATION OF DRUG USE

Estimates of drug use incidence, or initiation, provide another measure of the Nation's

drug problem. They can suggest emerging patterns of use, particularly among young people. In

the past, increases and decreases in incidence have usually been followed by corresponding

changes in the prevalence of use. In 1996, SAMHSA released a detailed report on incidence

trends based on 1991-93 data, covering the period 1919 through 1992. Using the 1994 through

1998 NHSDA data, this section updates these earlier estimates and extends them to 1997.

Details of the methodology are available in Trends in the Incidence of Drug Use in the

United States, 1919-1992, released in 1996. Briefly, the estimates are based on the NHSDA

questions on age at first use. Using each respondent’s reported age at first use in conjunction

with his/her age and interview date, the respondent’s year of first use of each drug was

determined by subtracting their age from the interview year and then adding the age at first use.

By combining all respondents and applying sample weights, estimates of the number of new

users of each drug for each year were made. These estimates include new users at any age,

including ages under 12. In addition, the average age of new users in each year and age-specific

rates of first use were estimated. These rates are presented in this report as the number of new

users per 1,000 person-years of exposure. The rates could also be described as the number of

new users per 1,000 potential new users. The numerator of each rate is the number of persons in

the age group who first used the drug in the year (times 1,000), while the denominator is the

number of persons who were exposed to the risk of first use during the year, adjusted for their

estimated exposure time (exposure time was expressed in years). Persons who first used the drug

in a prior year have zero risk of first use in the current year, and persons who still have never

used the drug by the end of the current year had one full year of exposure to risk. Persons who

first used during the year are assumed to have a half year of exposure to risk.

The incidence estimates are based on retrospective reports of age at first drug use by

survey respondents interviewed during 1994-98, and may therefore be subject to several biases,

including bias due to differential mortality of users and nonusers of each drug, bias due to

memory errors (recall decay and telescoping), and underreporting bias due to social acceptability

and fear of disclosure. See Appendix 2, Section III for a discussion of these biases. As is

explained in Appendix 2, it is possible that some of these biases, particularly telescoping and

underreporting because of fear of disclosure, may be affecting estimates for the most recent years

more significantly. However, further analysis is needed to show the magnitude of these biases.
25

Marijuana

 An estimated 2.1 million Americans used marijuana for the first time in 1997. The number

had increased from approximately 1.4 million in 1991 to 2.4 million in 1994, and has not

changed significantly since 1994. The number of new marijuana users per year reached its

highest level in 1975 (3.1 million). It is interesting to note that the decrease in prevalence of

marijuana use that occurred in the 1980s did not begin to occur until several years after the

peak in incidence.

 The rising incidence during 1991-1994 seems to have been fueled primarily by the increasing

rate of new use among youth age 12-17 years (from 38.4 per 1,000 potential new users in

1991, to 72.8 per 1,000 potential new users in 1994). This is in contrast with the epidemic of

the late 1960s and early 1970s, in which there were similar increases among young adults as

well as youth, but with the rates among young adults dominating through 1972. The rates of

marijuana initiation for youth leveled off during 1994-1996 at their highest levels ever since

the early peak levels in the late 1970s. The 1997 rate for youth (64.4) was significantly lower

than the 1996 rate (79.3)(Figure 13).
26

Heroin

 There were an estimated 81,000 new heroin users in 1997, not statistically different than the

149,000 new users in 1996. Estimates of heroin incidence are subject to wide variability and

usually do not show any clear trend, although there was a statistically significant upward

trend in the number of new heroin users from 1992 to 1996, a finding that is consistent with

anecdotal reports of increasing numbers of new heroin users. The recent increases in new

heroin use are comparable to the increases seen in the epidemic of the late 1960s and early

1970s.

 The rate of heroin initiation for the age group 12-17 increased from below 1.0 during the

1980's to 2.7 in 1996 and dropped to 1.1 in 1997. This apparent drop is not a statistically

significant change and should be viewed with caution because of the small number of

respondents that these estimates are based on and the potential impact of reporting errors for

this rare and stigmatized behavior (Figure 14).

 A large proportion of the recent heroin initiates are young and are smoking, sniffing, or

snorting heroin. Among recent initiates found in the 1997 and 1998 NHSDAs, 87 percent

were under age 26 and 72 percent had never injected heroin. A similar analysis of new

heroin users in the 1991 and 1992 NHSDAs showed that only 61 percent were younger than

age 26 and only 46 percent had never injected (questions about smoking, snorting, and

sniffing were not included in the NHSDA until 1993).
27

Cocaine and Crack Cocaine

 The annual number of new users of any form of cocaine rose between 1991 and 1997 from

470,000 to 730,000. However, this was a lower level than during the early and mid-1980s. 

Recent initiation was at a lower rate than it was in 1980-1986, when the number of new

initiates ranged from 1.1 to 1.4 million per year.

 The rates of initiation among different age groups have been increasing in recent years. In

particular, the rate among youths age 12-17 increased from 4.1 in 1991 to 10.8 in 1997; this

rate in 1997 was similar to the high rates of the early 1980s. Historically, most initiation of

cocaine use has taken place among young adults age 18-25. The rate for that age group fell

from a high of 28.8 in 1982 to 9.8 in 1992. Initiation rates among this age group have

increased to 15.9 in 1997 (Figure 15).

 The number of new crack cocaine users was 302,000 in 1997. While there has been little

change in the overall number of new crack users per year since 1985, the age-specific rate of

new use for age 12-17 years has steadily climbed from 1.2 in 1992 to 5.6 in 1997.
28

Hallucinogens

 There were an estimated 1.1 million new hallucinogen users in 1997, nearly twice the average

annual number during the 1980s. The rate of initiation among youths age 12-17 increased

between 1991 and 1995, from 11.1 to 25.0 per 1,000 potential new users. Over the same

period, the rate for ages 18-25 years rose from 13.1 to 22.9. Both age groups had constant

rates during 1995-1997.

Inhalants

 There were an estimated 708,000 new inhalant users in 1997, up from 332,000 in 1989. The

rate of first use among youths age 12-17 rose significantly from 1989 to 1995, from 8.4 to

18.8 per 1,000 potential new users, and remained level after that. For young adults age 18-

25, there was an increase in the rate of first use between 1989 and 1996 (from 3.7 to 10.7 per

1,000 potential new users) and a leveling off in 1997 (9.2 per 1,000 potential new users).

Cigarettes

 An estimated 3.1 million people tried their first cigarette in 1996 (1997 estimate not

available). The rate of initiation among youths age 12-17 increased from 98.9 to 146.2 per

1,000 potential new users between 1991 and 1995, and remained level in 1996.

 An estimated 2.1 million people began smoking on a daily basis in 1997. More than half of

these new daily smokers were younger than age 18. This translates to more than 3,000 new

youth smokers per day. The rate of youth initiation of daily smoking increased somewhat

from 55.5 to 74.9 per 1,000 potential new users between 1991 and 1996, but remained level

in 1997.

Alcohol

 In 1996 there were approximately 4.2 million new users of alcohol, compared with about 3.4

million new users in 1991. The rate of new usage of alcohol among the 18-25 age group has

begun to rise in recent years (164.5 per 1,000 potential new users in 1989, compared with

219.0 per 1,000 potential new users in 1996). In addition, the rate of initiation of alcohol use

among the 12-17 age group increased from 111.0 per 1,000 potential new users to 158.8 over

the same period.
29

9. PERCEIVED RISK OF HARM AND OTHER MEASURES

In addition to the information on substance use, respondents also provide their

perceptions of the risk of harm of using drugs and the availability of drugs. For this report,

perceived risk of harm is presented as the percent reporting that they perceive great risk of harm

in using the drug at a specified level of frequency. Perceived availability is measured as the

percent reporting that obtaining the drug is either very easy or fairly easy. Another measure

included in the NHSDA related to availability of drugs is the percent of respondents reporting

that they had been approached by someone selling drugs in the past month. All of these

measures are important correlates of drug use that help explain the patterns and trends in

substance use, particularly among youth.

 The percent of the population reporting great risk of harm in using marijuana once a month

remained about the same between 1997 (43.4 percent) and 1998 (41.8 percent). The percent

reporting great risk in using marijuana once or twice a week also did not change (59 percent

in 1997 and 58 percent in 1998).

 Among youth age 12-17 years, the perceived risk of smoking marijuana once or twice a week

remained about the same between 1997 and 1998. This follows a decline in perceived risk of

marijuana use (including “once a month” use) that occurred from 1990 to 1997. This trend in

perceived risk mirrors the trend in the use of marijuana among youth. As the perceived risk

decreased, use increased, and vice versa. It is interesting to note that the perceived risk began

to decline about two years before use began to increase (Figure 16).
30

 There was a rate decrease for those age 12 and older in the perceived risk of occasional (once

a month) use of cocaine from 1997 to 1998 (77.9 percent to 76.4 percent respectively). From 

1990 to 1996, the percent of youth reporting great risk in using cocaine once a month

decreased from 72 percent to 54 percent, and remained unchanged in 1997 and 1998. This

measure of perceived risk had previously increased from 58 percent in 1985 to 70 percent in

1988, a period in which the rate of cocaine use decreased.

 Among youth age 12-17 years, the percent reporting great risk in smoking one or more packs

of cigarettes per day has steadily increased from 45 percent in 1985 to 54 percent in 1996 and

remained unchanged in 1997 and 1998.

 In 1993, 70 percent of the population age 12 and older perceived great risk in having four or

five drinks nearly every day, and 60 percent reported great risk in having five or more drinks

once or twice a week. In 1998, daily use of alcohol (four or five drinks) was associated with

great risk by 76 percent of the population, an increase in perceived risk from 1993. However,

the perceived risk of having five or more drinks once or twice a week decreased over the

same period from 60 percent in 1993 to 54 percent in 1998. This diverging trend from 1993

to 1998 was evident not only for the total population, but for youth age 12-17 years, as well. 

The rates for all persons 12 and older and for youths were stable between 1997 and 1998.

 More than half (56 percent) of youths age 12-17 reported that marijuana was easy to obtain in

1998. This is an increase from 1992, when 51 percent reported that marijuana was easy to

obtain.

 The percent of youths reporting that heroin was easy to obtain was 21.2 percent in 1998,

similar to 1997. Perceived availability of marijuana, cocaine, and crack also did not change

among youths.

 In the total population age 12 and older, the percent reporting that heroin, cocaine, and crack

were easy to obtain declined from 1996 to 1998. The percentage reporting that marijuana

was easy to obtain did not change during this period.

 The percent of the population reporting that they had been approached by someone selling

drugs in the past month decreased from 9.2 percent in 1992 to 6.1 percent in 1998. However,

among youths age 12-17 years, the percent was 13.7 percent in 1998, similar to the

percentage in 1992 (13.4 percent).
31

10. SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCE AND TREATMENT

The NHSDA includes a series of questions that are based on the Diagnostic and

Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) used to assess dependence on

substances. It includes questions about health and emotional problems associated with

substances used, attempts to cut down on use, tolerance, and other symptoms. Respondents are

also asked to report on whether they had received treatment or counseling for a substance abuse

problem. The following analysis is based on past year users of illicit drugs and alcohol. For this

analysis the 1997 and 1998 NHSDA data were combined and average annual estimates are

presented.

 Of the 23.1 million persons who used an illicit drug in the past year, 1.9 million reported

some health problem due to their illicit drug use, 3.5 million reported an emotional or

psychological problem due to their drug use, and 4.1 million were dependent on an illicit

drug. An estimated 963,000 had received treatment or counseling for their drug use (Figure

17).

 An estimated 1.1 million youths age 12-17 (26.8 percent of all past year illicit drug users in

this age group) were dependent on an illicit drug, including 0.9 million dependent on

marijuana. An estimated 175,000 youths had received treatment or counseling for their drug

use.

 9.7 million people were estimated to be dependent on alcohol, including 915,000 youths age

12-17. An estimated 1.7 million people (including 148,000 youths) reported receiving

treatment or counseling for alcohol use.
32

11. CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA

In response to propositions passed by voters in California and Arizona in 1996 for the

legalization of some illicit drugs for certain medical uses, the NHSDA sample was supplemented

in those states in 1997 and 1998 to measure the potential impact of these voter initiatives. 

Residents of California and Arizona age 12 and older were oversampled in the 1997 NHSDA

beginning in April 1997, and for all 12 months of 1998. In addition, the NHSDA sample in

California was large enough in 1995 and 1996 to allow examination of longer term trends for that

state. For the Arizona trend analyses, data for nine months of 1998 were used so that the time

periods covered were consistent with 1997 estimates. All 12 months of data were used for

California estimates for all years.

Prevalence and Perceived Risk of Drug Use in California, Arizona, and the Remainder of

the U.S.

This section compares the prevalence and perceived risk of drug use among the civilian,

noninstitutionalized population age 12 and older residing in California, Arizona, and the

remainder of the United States in 1998.

 In 1998, the prevalence of illicit drug use among persons 12 years and older was 7.2 percent

in California, 7.4 percent in Arizona, and 6.1 percent in the rest of the United States (Figure

18). These differences are not statistically significant. As in the total U.S., marijuana was

the most commonly used drug in these two states.

 Youths age 12-17 in Arizona had higher rates of current use of any illicit drug and marijuana

compared with California and the remainder of the U.S. In Arizona, 14.4 percent of youths

were current illicit drug users, compared with 9.9 percent in California and 9.9 percent of

youths in the remainder of the U.S. (Figure 18). Similarly, 11.5 percent of youths in Arizona

were current marijuana users, compared with 7.4 percent in California and 8.3 percent in the

remainder of the U.S.

 An estimated 6.8 percent of California adults age 18 and older and 6.5 percent of Arizona

adults were current users of any illicit drug. In comparison, 5.7 percent of adults age 18 and

older in the remainder of the U.S. were current illicit drug users.

 Californians were more likely to perceive great risk in smoking cigarettes than the remainder

of the nation. Californians and Arizonians were less likely to perceive great risk in using

marijuana than residents of the remainder of the U.S.

California Trends in Drug Use and Perceived Risk, 1995-1998

 There was no significant change in marijuana use between 1997 and 1998 in California,

either for adults or for youths age 12-17. The rates for youths were 6.8 percent in 1997 and

7.4 percent in 1998. Rates for both youths and adults have been stable since 1995.

 Among Californians age 12-17, 18-25, and 26 and older, perceptions of great risk associated

with using different drugs remained fairly constant between 1997 and 1998.
12 and Older 12 -17 18 and Older

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

CA AZ 

Figure 18. Past Month Use of Any

Illicit Drug for California, Arizona,

and Remainder of U.S., by Age: 1998

U.S. Excluding 

CA & AZ

33

Arizona Trends in Drug Use and Perceived Risk, 1997-1998

 There were significant decreases from 1997 to 1998 in the rate of illicit drug use among

Arizona youth age 12-17 (from 16.8 percent to 13.4 percent) and young adults age 18-25

(from 21.8 percent to 17.2 percent).

 Among Arizona youths age 12-17, there were significant increases in the percentage

reporting great risk in smoking one or more packs of cigarettes per day (from 54.2 percent to

59.1 percent), using marijuana once or twice a week (from 46.6 percent to 52.7 percent), and

having four or five drinks nearly every day (from 59.8 percent to 64.2 percent).

 Among Arizona adults age 26 and older, the percentage reporting great risk in using cocaine

once a month decreased from 80.3 in 1997 to 75.0 in 1998, and the percentage reporting great

risk in using cocaine once or twice a week decreased from 93.7 in 1997 to 90.3 in 1998.
34

12. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

The 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse provides a comprehensive

description of substance use and abuse in the United States. The survey provides reliable

information to assess trends, patterns, and relationships associated with substance abuse. Given

the difficulties involved in collecting data on illegal and sensitive behaviors, the interpretation of

the NHSDA data is best made in conjunction with other available data sources, taking into

account the strengths and limitations of each source.

The 1998 NHSDA data show that overall drug use remained level, and the rate of drug

use among youths fluctuated and may have also leveled off or possibly started to decrease after a

period of increase from 1992 to 1995. Nevertheless, estimated rates of youth initiation of

marijuana and heroin use remained at historically high levels.

Comparisons of the NHSDA results for youth marijuana use with results from other

surveys show that the trends during the 1990s are generally consistent across these surveys. The

NHSDA showed substantial increases in past month use among youths age 12-17 from 1992 to

1995 (from 3.4 percent to 8.2 percent), then rates of 7.1 percent in 1996, 9.4 percent in 1997, and

8.3 percent in 1998 . The Monitoring the Future (MTF) study showed that past month marijuana

use among high school seniors increased from 11.9 percent in 1992 to 21.2 percent in 1995. The

rate did not change significantly in 1996 (21.9 percent), 1997 (23.7 percent) and 1998 (22.8

percent). The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS), a nationally representative survey of

students sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, estimated rates of past month

marijuana use for students in grades 7-12 to be 14 percent in 1993, 21 percent in 1995, 22

percent in 1996, 24 percent in 1997, and 23 percent in 1998 (PDFA 1999).

The NHSDA data on youth drug use are not, however, entirely consistent with the MTF

and PATS data when specific year to year variations and trends among subgroups of youth are

examined. Further analysis of these data may help explain these differences, but it is also

important to recognize the methodological differences between the NHSDA and the MTF and

PATS that could be the cause. Differences in populations covered, time periods of data

collection, questionnaire wording, effects of nonresponse bias, and interview setting (school vs,

home) could affect the resulting estimates, both in terms of levels and trends (Gfroerer, Wright,

and Kopstein 1997).

The estimated annual number of new marijuana users increased from 1.4 million in 1991

to 2.4 million in 1994, and remained at about the same level in 1995, 1996 and 1997. During

1995-1997, the rate of marijuana initiation among youths age 12-17 was at its highest level ever. 

This has important implications for substance abuse prevention and treatment efforts. In terms of

prevention, there is an obvious need to focus immediate attention on children and adolescents. In

the long run, the expanding pool of young people using illicit drugs will probably result in

continuing pressure on the substance abuse treatment system in future years, as many new drug

users progress to addiction and require intervention. Data from SAMHSA’s Treatment Episode

Data Set (TEDS), which collects data from publicly funded substance abuse treatment programs,

have shown large increases in the number of admissions for a marijuana problem, from 91,000 in

1992 to 192,000 in 1997, with the greatest rate of increase occurring in the 12-17 age group. A

recent analysis showed that if current initiation rates continue, the size of the population needing
35

treatment for a drug abuse problem is estimated to grow by 57 percent by the year 2020 (Gfroerer

and Epstein 1999).

Reports of increasing heroin and methamphetamine abuse have been prominent over the

past few years, based on data from medical examiners, emergency departments, and drug

treatment facilities (NIDA 1999; SAMHSA 1998b). The limitations of the NHSDA for

measuring rare and stigmatized drug use behaviors have made it difficult to either refute or

support these reports.

The NHSDA data showed an increasing rate of past month heroin use from 1993 to 1997,

and an increasing rate of lifetime heroin smoking, snorting, or sniffing between 1994 and 1997. 

The shift toward non-injection heroin use has also been observed in TEDS data. In 1992, 77

percent of heroin users entering publicly funded treatment programs were injectors and in 1997

68 percent were injectors. The 1998 NHSDA data suggest a reduction in heroin use. Past year

use declined from 597,000 users in 1997 to 253,000 in 1998, a statistically significant change. 

However, the change from 325,000 past month users in 1997 to 130,000 past month users in

1998 was not statistically significant. The decrease in 1998 was significant in the 35 and older

age group for past month use. Rates of heroin initiation increased for both youths age 12-17 and

for young adults age 18-25 between 1990 and 1996, but did not change between 1996 and 1997. 

The average age of new heroin users, which ranged from 23 to 27 during 1988-1992, was down

to 17.9 years in 1997. Most new heroin users in recent years were under age 26 and were

smoking, snorting, or sniffing heroin.

Methamphetamine use (lifetime) rates also suggest some increase, although the change

between 1994 and 1997 was not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant

increase in lifetime methamphetamine use among youths age 12-17 from 1996 to 1997, but a

significant decrease from 1997 to 1998. Other data sources have indicated a substantial increase

in methamphetamine use during the 1990s. For example, there has been an increase in

methamphetamine admissions to publicly-funded treatment programs (from 14,000 in 1992 to

53,000 in 1997).

The NHSDA continues to show the aging of the drug using population. Cohorts who

were teenagers and young adults in the 1960s and 1970s are now older, and although most no

longer use illicit drugs, many still do. This aging cohort, composed primarily of the baby boom,

is adding increasingly to the "35 and older" age group shown in NHSDA reports. Thus, the

proportion of drug users that are age 35 and older continues to increase (from 10 percent of users

in 1979 to 32 percent of users in 1998). Data from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN)

on drug-related hospital emergency department episodes also show the impact of the aging cohort

of drug users. In 1979, 12 percent of patients with cocaine episodes were age 35 or older. By

1985 the proportion was 19 percent, and by 1997 it was 46 percent.

Many of the drug users in this aging cohort have used drugs for many years and have

developed severe drug problems. These aging drug abusers are expected to place a continuing

demand on the drug abuse treatment system. Projections indicate that the number of people age

50 and older needing treatment for a drug problem will increase fivefold in the next 20 years

(Gfroerer and Epstein 1999). This aging cohort of heavy drug users is also a factor in the

continuing rise in hospital emergency department episodes, which are more likely to involve

these heavy users than occasional users or those who use only marijuana. Cocaine-related
36

emergency room visits have increased from 5,000 in 1981 to 29,000 in 1985 (the peak year for

past month cocaine prevalence in the NHSDA) to 161,000 in 1997. Heroin-related emergency

room visits have increased from 12,000 in 1979 to 72,000 in 1997 (SAMHSA 1996c, 1999a).

It is important to recognize the limitations of both DAWN and the NHSDA for measuring

the prevalence of heavy drug use. As is discussed in DAWN reports, there are many factors that

could influence trends in drug-related episodes. These factors include changes in the purity and

availability of drugs, changes in patterns of use (e.g., drug combinations or route of

administration), availability of treatment programs ("seeking detoxification" was the reported

reason for visit in 25 percent of cocaine-related episodes in 1995), and changes in patient

management practices. Furthermore, research has indicated that only a small, nonrepresentative

proportion of heavy cocaine users account for cocaine-related emergency room episodes

(Gfroerer and Brodsky 1993).

Sample size, coverage, and validity problems are likely to be more pronounced for

NHSDA estimates of heavy users than for other measures generated by the survey. Therefore,

estimates of heavy use are considered conservative, and changes over time are generally not

statistically significant. For example, the NHSDA has produced estimates of about 600,000

frequent cocaine users with no significant changes in the size of this population since 1985. By

using various other data sources and making a number of assumptions (many of which are of

uncertain validity), researchers have estimated that there are over 2 million frequent cocaine

users in the U.S. (ONDCP 1998).

Clearly there is considerable uncertainty about the size of the heavy drug-using

population. Estimates from the NHSDA can provide useful data to help describe this population,

but should only be used in conjunction with other data sources. Appendix 2, Section V

(Estimation of Heavy Drug Use) contains a discussion of a methodology developed by OAS that

uses arrest and treatment data to adjust NHSDA estimates of heavy drug use.
37

APPENDIX 1: DESCRIPTION OF THE SURVEY

I. Sample Design

The sample design of the survey has changed over time, but it has always been

representative of the U.S. general population (since 1991, the civilian noninstitutional

population) age 12 and older and has always oversampled youth and young adults. The 1998

NHSDA employed a multistage area probability sample of 25,500 persons. The first stage of

selection is a sample of 137 Primary Sampling Units (PSUs), each consisting of counties

(administrative subdivisions of States) or groups of counties such as metropolitan areas. Within

these PSUs, segments (such as city blocks or enumeration districts) are selected. In 1998, 2,670

segments were selected, and in each of these segments a listing of all addresses was made, from

which a sample of 94,723 addresses was selected. Of these, 80,866 were determined to be

eligible sample units. In these sample units (which can be either households or units within

group quarters), sample persons were randomly selected (with unequal probabilities) using a

screening procedure carried out by interviewers.

The 1998 NHSDA sampled segments were allocated equally into four separate samples,

one for each three month period during the year, so that the survey is essentially continuous in

the field. By assigning the appropriate selection probabilities at the PSU, segment, and person

levels, oversampling of certain subpopulations of interest was accomplished. In 1998, these

subpopulations included younger individuals (age 12-34), blacks, Hispanics, and residents of

Arizona and California.

II. Data Collection Methodology

The data collection method used in the NHSDA is to conduct in-person interviews with

sample persons, incorporating procedures that would be likely to maximize respondents'

cooperation and willingness to report honestly about their illicit drug use behavior. Introductory

letters are sent to sampled addresses, followed by an interviewer visit. A five-minute screening

procedure involves listing all household members along with their basic demographic data and

selecting 0-2 sample person(s), depending on the composition of the household. This selection

process is designed to provide the necessary sample sizes for specified population groups.

Interviewers attempt to conduct interviews in a private place, away from other household

members. The interview averages about an hour, and includes a combination of intervieweradministered and self-administered questions. With this procedure, the answers to sensitive

questions (such as those on illicit drug use) are recorded by the respondent and not seen or

reviewed by the interviewer. After these answer sheets are completed, they are placed by the

respondent in an envelope, which is sealed and mailed to the contractor, Research Triangle

Institute, with no personal identifying information attached.

III. Data Processing

Upon receipt, questionnaires are checked for critical identification and demographic data,

then keyed to disk. This creates a file consisting of one record for each completed interview. 

Extensive within-record consistency checks and resolution of most inconsistencies and missing
38

data are done using machine editing routines, called logical imputation. For some key variables

that still have missing values after the application of logical imputation, statistical imputation is

used to replace the missing data with appropriate valid response codes. Two types of statistical

imputation procedures are used. Hot-deck imputation involves the replacement of a missing

value with a valid code taken from another respondent who is "similar" and has complete data. 

Logistic regression models are also used to determine replacement values for some variables.

Each record (i.e., respondent) is assigned an analysis weight which incorporates:

a. The inverse of the selection probability for the respondent. This is the product of the

inverses of selection probabilities at each stage of sampling.

b. Adjustments for household and person-level nonresponse.

c. Poststratification adjustment to Census projections (of the civilian noninstitutionalized

population of the total U.S.) for the midpoint of each NHSDA data collection period. 

Adjustments are made to age, gender, and race/ethnicity distributions (see Appendix 2 for

a discussion of the poststratification adjustment).

Data are generally released to the public about six months after the end of data collection. 

Public use data files are available 1-2 years after completion of data collection.
39

APPENDIX 2: LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA

I. Target Population

An important limitation of the NHSDA estimates of drug use prevalence is that they are

only designed to describe the target population of the survey, the civilian noninstitutionalized

population. Although this includes more than 98% of the total U.S. population, it does exclude

some important and unique subpopulations who may have very different drug-using patterns. 

The survey excludes active military personnel, who have been shown to have significantly lower

rates of illicit drug use. Persons living in institutional group quarters, such as prisons and

residential drug treatment centers, are not covered in the NHSDA and have been shown in other

surveys to have higher rates of illicit drug use. Also excluded are homeless persons not living in

a shelter on the survey date, another population shown to have higher than average rates of illicit

drug use. Appendix 3 describes other surveys that provide data for these populations.

II. Sampling Error and Statistical Significance

The sampling error of an estimate is the error caused by the selection of a sample instead

of conducting a census of the population. Sampling error is reduced by selecting a large sample

and by using efficient sample design and estimation strategies such as stratification, optimal

allocation, and ratio estimation.

With the use of probability sampling methods in the NHSDA, it is possible to develop

estimates of sampling error from the survey data. These estimates have been calculated for all

prevalence estimates presented in this report using a Taylor series linearization approach that

takes into account the effects of the complex NHSDA design features. The sampling errors are

used to identify unreliable estimates and to test for the statistical significance of differences

between estimates.

Estimates considered to be unreliable due to unacceptably large sampling error are not

shown in this report, and are noted by asterisks (*) in the tables in the appendix. The criterion

used for suppressing estimates was based on the relative standard error (RSE), which is defined

as the ratio of the standard error over the estimate. The log transformation of the proportion

estimate (p) was used to calculate the RSE. Specifically, rates and corresponding estimated

number of users were suppressed if:

RSE[-ln(p)] > 0.175 when p < .5

or RSE[-ln(1-p)] > 0.175 when p .5.

Estimates were also suppressed if they rounded to zero or 100 percent. This occurs if p <

.0005 or if p .9995. Statistical tests of significance have been computed for comparisons of

estimates from 1998 with prior years. Results are shown in the appendix 5 tables. As indicated

in the footnotes, significant differences are noted by "a" (significant at the .05 level of

significance) and "b" (significant at the .01 level of significance). All changes described in this

report as increases or decreases were tested and found to be significant at least at the .05 level,

unless otherwise indicated.
40

Nonsampling errors such as nonresponse and reporting errors may affect the outcome of

significance tests. Also, keep in mind that while a level of significance equal to .05 is used to

determine statistical significance in these tables, large differences associated with slightly higher

p-values (specifically those between .05 and .10) may be worth noting along with the p-values. 

Furthermore, statistically significant differences are not always meaningful, because the

magnitude of difference may be small or because the significance may have occurred simply by

chance. In a series of twenty independent tests, it is to be expected that one test will indicate

significance merely by chance even if there is no real difference in the populations compared. In

making more than one comparison among three or more percentages (comparing percentages

within a table), there has been no attempt to adjust the level of significance to account for making

simultaneous inferences (often referred to as multiple comparisons). Therefore, the probability

of falsely rejecting the null hypothesis at least once in a family of k comparisons is higher than

the significance level given for individual comparisons (in this report, either .01 or .05).

When making comparisons of estimates for different population subgroups from the same

data year, the covariance term, which is usually small and positive, has typically been ignored. 

This results in somewhat conservative tests of hypotheses that will sometimes fail to establish

statistical significance when in fact it exists.

III. Nonsampling Error

Nonsampling errors occur from nonresponse, coding errors, computer processing errors,

errors in the sampling frame, reporting errors, and other errors. Nonsampling errors are reduced

through data editing, statistical adjustments for nonresponse, and close monitoring and periodic

retraining of interviewers.

Although nonsampling errors can often be much larger than sampling errors,

measurement of most nonsampling errors is difficult or impossible. However, some indication of

the effects of some types of nonsampling errors can be obtained through proxy measures such as

response rates and from other research studies.

Of the 80,866 eligible households sampled, 75,167 were successfully screened for a

screening response rate of 93.0%. In these screened households, a total of 33,128 sample persons

were selected, and completed interviews were obtained from 25,500 of these sample persons, for

an interview response rate of 77.0%. Of the sample persons, 3,937 (11.9%) were classified as

refusals, 2,300 (6.9%) were not available or never at home, and 1,304 (3.9%) did not participate

for various other reasons, such as physical or mental incompetence or language barrier. The

response rate was highest among the 12-17 year old age group (82%). Response rates were also

higher among Hispanics (81%) than among blacks (80%) and whites (74%).

Among survey participants, item response rates were above 98% for most questionnaire

items. However, inconsistent responses for some items, including the drug use items, are

common. Estimates of drug use from the NHSDA are based on the responses to multiple

questions by respondents, so that the maximum amount of information is used in determining

whether a respondent is classified as a drug user. Inconsistencies in responses are resolved

through a logical editing process that involves some judgement on the part of survey analysts and

is a potential source of nonsampling error. A typical occurrence is when a respondent reports

their most recent use of a drug as more than a month ago, but in a later question they report
41

having used in the past month. (This could occur because the interviewer may have developed

greater rapport with the respondent in the latter stages of the interview, leading to more openness

on the part of the respondent.) This respondent would be considered a past month user. For

1998, 21% of the estimate of past month marijuana use and 43% of the past month cocaine use

estimate is based on such cases. Editing accounts for a smaller portion of past year estimates

(16% for marijuana and 28% for cocaine), and generally accounts for similar proportions from

year to year. An exception to this occurred for estimates of past year heroin use. The percent of

this estimate that was based on editing was 27% in 1996, 45% in 1997, and 26% in 1998.

NHSDA estimates are based on self-reports of drug use, and their value depends on

respondents' truthfulness and memory. Although many studies have generally established the

validity of self-report data and the NHSDA procedures were designed to encourage honesty and

recall, some degree of underreporting is assumed. No adjustment to NHSDA data is made to

correct for this (Appendix 4 lists a number of references addressing the validity of self-reported

drug use data). The methodology used in the NHSDA has been shown to produce more valid

results than other self-report methods (e.g., by telephone) (Turner, Lessler, and Gfroerer 1992;

Aquilino 1994). However, comparisons of NHSDA data with data from surveys conducted in

classrooms suggest that underreporting of drug use by youth in their homes may be substantial

(Gfroerer, Wright, and Kopstein 1997).

IV. Incidence Estimates

The incidence estimates discussed in section 8 of this report are based on retrospective

reports of age at first drug use by survey respondents interviewed during 1994-98, and may be

particularly subject to several biases.

Bias due to differential mortality occurs because some persons who were alive and

exposed to the risk of first drug use in the historical periods shown in the tables died before the

1994-1998 NHSDAs were conducted. This bias is probably very small for estimates shown in

this report. Incidence estimates are also affected by memory errors, including recall decay

(tendency to forget events occurring long ago) and forward telescoping (tendency to report that

an event occurred more recently than it actually did). These memory errors would both tend to

result in estimates for earlier years (i.e., 1960s and 1970s) that are downwardly biased (because

of recall decay) and estimates for later years that are upwardly biased (because of telescoping). 

There is also likely to be some underreporting bias due to social acceptability of drug use

behaviors and respondents’ fear of disclosure. This is likely to have the greatest impact on recent

estimates, which reflect more recent use and reporting by younger respondents. Finally, for drug

use that is frequently initiated at age 10 or younger, estimates based on retrospective reports one

year later underestimate total incidence because 11 year old children are not sampled by the

NHSDA. Prior analyses showed that alcohol and cigarette (any use) incidence estimates could be

significantly affected by this. Therefore, for these drugs no 1997 estimates were made, and 1996

estimates were based only on the 1998 NHSDA.

A recent study (Johnson, Gerstein, and Rasinski 1998) concluded that the marijuana

incidence trend from the NHSDA was biased because the reporting of initiation declines as the

length of time between initiation and the survey increses. However, this study did not address

very recent estimates, i.e., 1995-97, which could be biased because they reflect recent drug use

and because they are heavily based on the reports of adolescents. In order to better understand
42

the size of the biases and to assess the reliability of estimates for recent years, OAS performed an

analysis of estimates based on single years of NHSDA data. This analysis focused on three

drugs: cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Using the survey data from 1994 to 1998, estimates were

made of the number of initiates, the rate of initiation for youths age 12-17, and the rate of

initiation for persons age 18-25. For the 1994 survey, an estimate was made for the year 1993. 

For the 1995 survey, another estimate was made for the year 1993. In this way, two recent

estimates of the same year could be compared. Similarly, the 1995 and 1996 data provided two

estimates for 1994, the 1996 and 1997 surveys provided two estimates for 1995, the 1997 and

1998 surveys provided two estimates for 1996. Since these calculations represent two

measurements of the same population characteristic, they would ideally be the same. Examples

of these estimates are shown in the following table:

Year of Initiation Avg. of Ratio

1993 1994 1995 1996 of 1 Year Recall

Year of Survey to 2-Year Recall

1994 1995 1995 1996 1996 1997 1997 1998

Rate for Age 12-17

Marijuana 59.2 53.7 74.2 75.2 75.7 73.6 83.2 75.6 1.055

Cocaine 8.9 5.0 10.2 5.7 10.6 8.0 11.3 11.0 1.480

Heroin 0.7 0.5 2.1 1.4 2.5 1.8 3.9 1.5 1.722

Rate for Age 18-25

Marijuana 46.9 41.4 42.1 55.9 47.7 53.4 53.6 50.5 0.960

Cocaine 12.8 12.8 9.9 11.8 13.8 14.7 14.8 13.9 0.961

Heroin 0.1 1.4 1.4 2.1 2.4 1.9 2.3 3.0 0.692

Number of Initiates

Marijuana 2,035 1,783 2,251 2,548 2,368 2,443 2,540 2,384 1.015

Cocaine 595 538 533 530 652 654 675 664 1.031

Heroin 41 62 122 97 141 93 171 127 1.195

Drug initiation rates for youths age 12-17 for the more hard core drugs (like cocaine and

heroin) appear to be most prone to bias. For example, on average across the four survey years,

the estimate for the rate of initiation of cocaine use among youths age 12-17 was 48% higher the

first time the estimate could be made than the second time. This indicates a probable bias in the

estimation; however, it is unclear which estimate is the correct one. As a result, one should be

cautious in interpreting any changes between the prior year and the most recent year in the

initiation rates for youth of the more stigmatized drugs. Since there are only five years of data to

estimate how the rate of incidence changes between the first year it can be estimated and the

second, one should be cautious about inferring the magnitude of the bias (for example, that it is

48% for cocaine). In 1999 and thereafter the youth and young adult samples will be much larger,

and more precise estimates of the bias will be possible.
43

The average rate of incidence for cocaine for persons age 18-25 for those same years is

only 4% lower in the first year estimate compared to the second year. The overall number of

cocaine initiates was only slightly higher (3%) the first year than the second.

For heroin, the rate of incidence among youths was 72% higher the first time the estimate

could be made than the second. For persons age 18-25, the rate was 31% lower the first year than

the second. The overall number of new initiates was 20% higher the first year it could be

estimated than the second year. For marijuana, estimates of the number of initiates, the rate of

initiation for youth 12-17, and the rate of initiation for persons age 18-25 all are fairly stable,

with second year estimates varying no more than plus or minus 5% from the first year they were

estimated.

Thus, analyses seem to show that the pattern of reporting varies by drug and implicitly by

the degree of stigma. The more prevalent drugs that are based on much larger numbers of first

users generally have rates of initiation that are more stable than the rarer, more stigmatized drugs

like heroin and cocaine.

V. Estimation of Heavy Drug Use

While the NHSDA collects data on the most severely affected drug users, the survey

design is less suited to estimate these problems. The limitations that preclude more accurate

estimates are primarily the sample size, coverage, and the use of a self-report. Because heavy

drug use is relatively rare in the general population, the NHSDA captures a small number of

these users, resulting in a relatively large sampling error. In addition to this instability resulting

from the small sample, underestimation is believed to occur because many heavy drug users may

not maintain stable addresses and, if located, may not be available for an interview. Finally, as

with all NHSDA respondents, heavy drug users who participate in the survey may not always

report their drug use accurately during the interview.

A new estimation procedure was designed at OAS to produce improved estimates of

heavy drug use (Wright, Gfroerer and Epstein, 1997). This procedure uses external counts of the

number of people in treatment for drug problems (from the Uniform Facility Data Set) and the

number of arrests for non-traffic offenses (from the F.B.I.'s Uniform Crime Reports) to adjust

NHSDA data. This ratio estimation procedure provides a partial adjustment that accounts for

undercoverage of hard-to-reach populations and also adjusts for underreporting of drug use by

survey respondents. However, it does not reduce sampling error.

Applications of this adjustment have resulted in 40-80 percent higher estimates of past

month and past year heroin use and 20-40 percent higher estimates of frequent cocaine use.
44

VI. Adjustment of 1979-1993 NHSDA Estimates to Account for the New Survey

Methodology Used in the 1994-1998 NHSDAS

The NHSDA is an important source of data for policy makers, not only because it

provides measures of substance abuse for a single year, but also because the series of surveys

over the last several years provides a measure of change in substance abuse in the population

over time. Beginning in 1994, the NHSDA began using an improved questionnaire and

estimation procedure based on a series of studies and consultations with drug survey experts and

data users. Because this new methodology produces estimates that are not directly comparable to

previous estimates, the 1979-1993 NHSDA estimates presented in this report were adjusted to

account for the new methodology that was begun in 1994.

Nearly all of the 1979-1993 substance use prevalence estimates presented in this report

were adjusted using a simple ratio correction factor that was estimated at the total population

level using data from the pooled 1993 and 1994 NHSDAs. The remaining substance use

prevalence estimates were adjusted by formally modeling the effect of the new methodology,

relative to the old methodology, using data from the 1994 NHSDA. The modeling procedure

was used for the more prevalent substance use measures that changed significantly between the

old- and new-version NHSDA questionnaires. The modeling procedure was particularly

desirable for the more prevalent measures because the procedure was able to use a greater

number of potentially significant explanatory variables in the adjustment compared to the simple

ratio correction factor. Each of the procedures are discussed in prior NHSDA reports.
45

APPENDIX 3: OTHER SOURCES OF DATA

A variety of other substance abuse surveys are useful in providing the context for the

NHSDA and are discussed below.

I. Other National Surveys of Illicit Drug Use 

Monitoring the Future (MTF)

Monitoring the Future (MTF) is a national survey that tracks drug use trends among

America’s adolescents. The MTF has surveyed 8th, 10th, and 12th graders every spring in

randomly selected U.S. schools since 1975 for 12 graders and since 1991 for 8 and 10 th th th

graders. This survey is conducted by the Institute for Social Research at the University of

Michigan under a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The MTF includes

followup surveys of college and young adults. The press release of the 1998 results occurred in

December 1998 (U.S. DHHS 1998). For all three grades combined, there were about 422 public

and private schools and about 48,000 students in the sample. This sample size included

approximately 140 schools and 16,000 students per grade.

Comparisons between the MTF and students sampled in the NHSDA have generally

shown NHSDA prevalences to be lower than MTF estimates, with relative differences being

largest for 8th graders. The direction of the estimates of change from year to year among 12th

graders have generally been similar. Both surveys showed significant increases in illicit drug use

among adolescents between 1992 and 1996. The MTF survey showed the use of illegal drugs by

adolescents leveled off in 1997 and then declined somewhat for most drugs in 1998. The

NHSDA showed an increase in substance use between 1996 and 1997 and then a decrease in the

use of illicit drugs among youths between 1997 and 1998. The lower prevalences in the NHSDA

may be due to more underreporting in the household setting as compared to the MTF school

setting. MTF does not survey dropouts, a group shown (using the NHSDA) to have higher rates

of use (Gfroerer, Wright, and Kopstein 1997). For a single grade, the NHSDA sample sizes are

much smaller than the MTF sample sizes.

Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)

The YRBS is a component of CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, which

biennially measures the prevalence of priority health-risk behaviors among youths through

representative national, state, and local surveys (CDC 1998). The 1997 national YRBS used a

three-stage cluster sample to obtain a representative sample of 16,262 students in grades 9-12 in

the 50 states and the District of Columbia. In general, this school-based survey has found higher

rates of alcohol, cigarette, marijuana, and cocaine use for youths than were found in the NHSDA.

National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health)

In 1994-6, the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) was

conducted to measure the effects of family, peer group, school, neighborhood, religious

institution, and community influences on health risks such as tobacco, drug, and alcohol use. 

The survey also asked about substance abuse (alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs). The survey
46

consisted of three phases: 1) Roughly 90,000 students from grades 7 through 12 at 145 schools

around the U.S. answered brief questionnaires; 2) interviews were conducted with about 20,000

students and their parents in the students’ homes; and 3) one year later, students were

interviewed a second time in their homes. Survey results indicated nearly one-third of teenagers

had smoked marijuana; 6.9 percent of 7th-8th graders used marijuana at least once in the past

month as did 15.7 percent of 9th-12th graders (Resnick, et al. 1997).

Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS)

In April of 1999, the Partnership for a Drug Free America (PDFA) released results from

the 1998 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS), the only on-going national research that

tracks drug use and drug related attitudes among children as young as eight and nine, teens, and

their parents. The study found drug use to be significantly lower among kids who’ve learned a

great deal about drugs at home. Virtually all parents (98%) say they’ve talked to their children

about drugs, but only 27 percent of teens say they are learning a lot at home a bout the risks

connected with drug use (PDFA 1999). PATS found that among 4 , 5 , and 6 -graders, anti- th th th

drug attitudes are beginning to move in the right direction. Among youths in grades 7-12,

marijuana usage has stabilized and there are indications that marijuana use may be at the start of

a downturn. Results from the 1998 survey indicated that lifetime trial of marijuana use among

grades 7-12 was 42 percent, down from 44 percent in the 1997 survey. It had been 29 percent in

1993. Past month marijuana use was 24 percent in 1997 and 23 percent in 1998. It had been 14

percent in 1993. The 1998 survey also showed the softening of attitudes that occurred in recent

years has stopped.

II. Alcohol and Cigarette Use Surveys

National Health Interview Survey Year 2000 Objectives (NHIS-2000)

The results of the NHIS-2000 were published in December 1997 (CDC 1997). This

survey of approximately 21,000 adults was conducted by the Bureau of the Census for the

National Center for Health Statistics. The survey estimated that, in 1995, 25.0 percent of the

population age 18 and over were current smokers. Current smokers are defined as those who

have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and answer that they currently smoke,

including those who smoke only on some days. This definition is somewhat different from the

NHSDA definition of current smoking (any use in the past month) which resulted in a prevalence

of 29.8 percent for adults in 1995. The 1998 estimate for adults was 28.7 percent.

Monitoring the Future (MTF)

This school-based survey showed increases in smoking rates among students from 1991

to 1996. However, cigarette use among 8 and 10 graders has declined between 1996 and 1998. th th

Past-month smoking rates found in the Monitoring the Future Study (MTF) were 14.3 percent in

1991, 21.0 percent in 1996, 19.4 percent in 1997, and 19.1 percent in 1998 for 8th graders. For

tenth graders, rates were 20.8 percent in 1991, 30.4 percent in 1996, 29.8 percent in 1997, and

27.6 percent in 1998. For 12th graders, smoking rates rose steadily from 28.3 percent in 1991 to

36.5 percent in 1997 but then declined (not significantly) between 1997 and 1998 to 35.1 percent

(USDHHS 1998).
47

Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey found increases in current cigarette use among students

in grades 9-12. Current smoking rose from 27.5 percent in 1991 to 36.4 percent in 1997 (CDC

1998). Overall prevalences of lifetime, current, and frequent cigarette use in the 1997 survey

were 70.2%, 36.4% and 16.7%, respectively. While the NHSDA trend for youth (age 12-17)

smoking has not shown these increases, the NHSDA estimates for years prior to 1994 were

apparently substantial underestimates because the data were collected without private selfadministered answer sheets. When the NHSDA converted to the use of these answer sheets in

1994, the smoking rate for adolescents approximately doubled. This raises questions about the

accuracy of the NHSDA measurement of the trend prior to 1994, even after adjustments are made

to account for the effect of the new questionnaire.

Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health

The Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health (US DHHS 1994) included

smoking prevalence data from a number of sources, including the NHSDA. Comparisons

between the various sources were made and methodological differences were assessed. These

comparisons were based on NHSDA data prior to 1994, which were based on the intervieweradministered smoking questions, and thus show low rates of smoking in the NHSDA,

particularly among youth.

National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health)

Results from the September 1994 to April 1995, the National Longitudinal Study of

Adolescent Health (Add Health described above) indicate that nearly 3.2 percent of 7th-8th

graders smoked 6 or more cigarettes a day as did 12.8 percent of 9th-12th graders (Resnick, et.al.

1997). In addition, 7.3 percent of 7th-8th graders used alcohol 2 or more days in the past month

as did 23.1 percent of 9th-12th graders.

National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES)

NLAES was conducted by the Bureau of the Census for the NIAAA in 1992. Face-toface interviews were conducted with 42,862 respondents age 18 and older in the contiguous U.S. 

It was designed to study the drinking practices, behaviors, and related problems in the general

public. The survey included an extensive set of questions designed to assess the presence of

symptoms of alcohol abuse and dependence during the prior 12 months, based on the criteria

from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)

(American Psychiatric Association 1994). NLAES estimated that 4.4 percent of adults were

alcohol dependent and another 3.0 percent were classified as abusing alcohol, but not dependent,

within the past year (Grant et. al. 1995). Using combined 1997 and 1998 data from the NHSDA,

an estimated 4.5 percent of adults and 4.0 percent of youths age 12-17 were dependent on

alcohol.
48

III. Surveys of Populations Not Covered by the NHSDA

Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS)

In 1999, the Partnership for a Drug Free America (PDFA) released results from the 1998

Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS), the only on-going national research that tracks drug

use and drug related attitudes among children ages 9 to 11 as well as older teens. The study

documented a gap between parents’ perceptions about their children and drugs and what

teenagers and children are actually experiencing (PDFA 1999).

Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Drug Study (DC*MADS)

The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Drug Study (DC*MADS) was designed to (1)

estimate the prevalence, correlates, and consequences of drug abuse among all types of people

residing in one metropolitan area of the country during one period of time and (2) to develop a

methodological model for similar types of research in other metropolitan areas of the country. 

Sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and conducted in 1991 and 1992, the project

focused on hard-to-reach populations, such as adult and juvenile offenders, new mothers, and

school dropouts. DC*MADS provided a replicable methodological approach for developing

representative estimates of the prevalence of drug abuse among all population subgroups,

regardless of their residential setting, in a metropolitan area. The key domains in DC*MADS

were the homeless, the institutionalized, and the household. A major finding of DC*MADS was

that, when data are aggregated for populations from each of the three domains, the overall

prevalence estimates for use of drugs differ only marginally from those that would be obtained

from the household population alone (i.e., from the NHSDA). However, for some categories of

drug users, the nonhousehold population was found to include a substantial proportion of users. 

About 20 percent of past month crack users, 20 percent of past year heroin users, and one-third of

past year needle users were found in the nonhousehold population (Bray and Marsden 1999).

Worldwide Survey of Substance Abuse and Health Behaviors Among Military Personnel

The 1998 Worldwide Survey of Substance Abuse and Health Behaviors Among Military

Personnel was sponsored by the Department of Defense and conducted by Research Triangle

Institute. The survey interviewed 17,264 Armed Forces personnel worldwide. Military

personnel exhibited lower rates of tobacco use than the civilian population, but this finding

seems largely due to an increase in smoking among civilians rather than significant decreases

among military personnel. Illicit drug use declined steadily and dramatically in the Military from

1990 to 1998 and this decrease was not explained by changes in the demographic composition of

the Military. Rates of substance use in the Military are significantly lower than those observed

for the civilian population. Differences between the military and civilian population were more

pronounced for males than females, especially among younger males. For males ages 18 to 55,

2.8% of those in the Military used drugs in the 30 days prior to survey compared to 11.4% of the

civilian population. For females ages 18 to 55, 1.9% of those in the Military used drugs in the 30

days prior to survey compared to 6.2% of the civilian population This survey indicated nearly all

military personnel had been tested for drugs since joining the military (Research Triangle

Institute 1999).
49

Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities

The 1997 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities samples inmates

from a universe of 1,409 State prisons and 127 Federal Prisons for the Bureau of Justice

Statistics (BJS). Systematic random sampling was used to select the inmates for the computerassisted personal interviews. The final numbers interviewed were 14,285 State prisoners and

4,401 Federal prisoners. Among other items, these surveys collect information on the use of

drugs in the month before the offense for convicted inmates. Women in State prisons (62%)

were more likely than men (56%) to have used drugs in the month before the offense. Women

were also more likely to have committed their offense while under the influence of drugs (40%

compared to 32% of male prisoners). Among Federal prisoners, men (45%) were more likely

than women (37%) to have used drugs in the past month. Male and female Federal prisoners

were equally likely to report the influence of drugs during their offense (23% of male and 19% of

female prisoners) and to have committed their offense under the influence of drugs. The survey

results indicate substantially higher rates of drug use among convicted inmates (BJS 1999) as

compared to the household population.

Uniform Crime Reporting System

The FBI maintains records of arrests for drug abuse violations from 1970 through 1997. 

Arrests for drug abuse violations are at their highest levels ever for adults and juveniles. The

number of actual arrests for drug abuse violations has almost doubled for adults (from 629,196 in

1985 to 1,019,621 in 1997). Of these arrests, 234,022 were for the sale and manufacturing of

drugs and approximately 785,599 were for drug possession in 1997. Among juveniles, drug

related arrests have risen even more dramatically (from 68,122 in 1986 to 154,761 in 1997)

(Maguire and Pastore 1998). For juveniles, 30,665 of the 1997 arrests were for the sale and

manufacture of drugs and 124,096 arrests were for possession.
50

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56
57

APPENDIX 5: DETAILED TABLES
58

90714 (101A)Table 1A. Estimated Numbers of Persons (in Thousands) in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older, by Age Group, Race/Eth

1979-1998 

Demographic

Characteristics 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 199TOTAL 180,343 192,605 202,859 205,713 207,199 209,411 211,532 214,04

AGE GROUP

12-17 23,758 21,558 20,145 20,684 21,224 21,773 22,208 22,5118-25 32,604 31,601 28,496 27,964 28,327 28,027 27,820 27,7926-34 31,339 36,477 38,737 38,215 37,194 36,588 35,975 35,47>35 92,641 102,969 115,481 118,850 120,453 123,023 125,529 128,26

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 147,202 154,224 157,363 158,398 157,693 159,029 159,722 160,35Black, non-Hispanic 19,271 21,332 23,030 23,649 23,002 23,365 23,686 24,05Hispanic 10,586 13,256 16,178 16,849 18,501 19,112 19,736 20,81Other, non-Hispanic 3,283 3,793 6,288 6,816 8,002 7,905 8,388 8,82

GENDER

Male 85,887 91,828 97,242 98,778 99,322 100,365 101,449 102,92Female 94,456 100,776 105,617 106,935 107,877 109,046 110,083 111,12

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

-- Not available.NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. The 1

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anothepercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 19

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. F

not shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably from 

years. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey years

 Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug within t

example, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and not 

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
59

90714 (101N)Table 1N. Survey Sample Sizes for All Respondents Aged 12 and Older, by Age Group, Race/Ethnicity, and Gender: 1979-19

Demographic

Characteristics 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 TOTAL 7,224 8,021 32,594 28,832 26,489 17,809 17,747 18,269 

AGE GROUP

12-17 2,165 2,230 8,005 7,254 6,978 4,698 4,595 4,538 18-25 2,044 1,812 7,937 7,721 5,531 3,706 3,963 4,366 26-34 1,064 2,166 8,126 7,516 8,342 5,223 5,213 5,262 >35 1,951 1,813 8,526 6,341 5,638 4,182 3,976 4,103 

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 5,862 3,960 15,648 14,080 12,478 8,663 8,459 8,48Black, non-Hispanic 798 1,950 8,050 6,511 6,183 4,010 4,208 4,372 Hispanic 354 2,003 7,916 7,148 6,894 4,706 4,599 4,84Other, non-Hispanic 210 108 980 1,093 934 430 481 575 

GENDER

Male 3,357 3,516 14,422 12,988 12,059 7,950 7,652 7,774 Female 3,867 4,505 18,172 15,844 14,430 9,859 10,095 10,495 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available.NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. The 1

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anothepercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 19

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. Fnot shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably from years. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey years Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug within texample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and not 

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse
60

90714 (1A) Table 2A. Estimated Numbers of Persons (in Thousands) in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older, by Age Group and Demog

1997 and 1998 

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

DemographicCharacteristic 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 TOTAL 22,547 22,740 27,691 27,966 35,246 34,603 130,722 133,136 RACE/

ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 15,166 15,209 18,661 18,753 24,449 23,786 102,893 104,243 Black, non-Hispanic 3,227 3,243 3,874 3,927 4,392 4,360 12,912 13,245 Hispanic 3,007 3,108 3,807 3,910 4,643 4,672 10,120 10,652 Other, non-Hispanic 1,147 1,180 1,350 1,376 1,761 1,784 4,797 4,995 

GENDER

Male 11,501 11,608 13,981 14,127 17,490 17,169 61,045 62,293 Female 11,047 11,132 13,710 13,839 17,755 17,434 69,677 70,842 

POPULATION

DENSITY1

Large Metro 9,196 9,546 11,261 11,018 16,793 16,429 53,345 57,064 Small Metro 8,059 7,997 10,116 11,269 11,776 11,479 46,497 45,966 Nonmetro 5,292 5,198 6,314 5,679 6,677 6,695 30,881 30,105 

REGION

Northeast 3,825 4,061 4,408 4,942 6,244 6,733 25,864 26,619 North Central 5,154 5,428 6,309 6,630 8,593 7,836 28,299 31,247 South 8,492 8,042 11,147 10,051 12,655 12,144 48,938 47,092 West 5,076 5,210 5,826 6,343 7,754 7,890 27,621 28,178 

ADULT

EDUCATION2

<High School N/A N/A 5,809 5,441 4,988 4,376 25,785 23,927 High School Grad N/A N/A 9,974 9,919 11,429 10,997 43,760 43,913 Some College N/A N/A 8,969 9,769 9,266 9,389 27,585 29,718 College Graduate N/A N/A 2,939 2,836 9,563 9,840 33,592 35,578 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time N/A N/A 13,285 13,411 24,448 25,207 65,260 66,415 Part-time N/A N/A 6,293 5,942 3,546 3,102 11,328 13,196 Unemployed N/A N/A 2,316 1,970 1,911 1,467 4,327 3,687 Other N/A N/A 5,797 6,643 5,341 4,827 49,808 49,837 

3

N/A: Not applicable.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons aged >1

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
61

90714 (1N) Table 2N. Survey Sample Sizes for All Respondents Aged 12 and Older, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: 199

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Demographic

Characteristic 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 

TOTAL 7,844 6,778 6,239 7,318 4,387 4,537 6,035 6,867 RACE/

ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 3,970 3,091 2,966 2,926 1,939 1,890 3,568 3,802 Black, non-Hispanic 1,346 1,374 1,062 1,798 1,184 1,053 1,047 1,590 Hispanic 2,086 1,869 1,863 2,187 1,134 1,432 1,176 1,307 Other, non-Hispanic 442 444 348 407 130 162 244 168 

GENDER

Male 3,871 3,383 2,756 3,275 1,766 1,864 2,443 2,739 Female 3,973 3,395 3,483 4,043 2,621 2,673 3,592 4,128 

POPULATION

DENSITY1

Large Metro 4,072 3,400 3,408 3,826 2,301 2,440 3,183 3,320 Small Metro 2,289 1,944 1,813 2,229 1,308 1,333 1,727 2,124 Nonmetro 1,483 1,434 1,018 1,263 778 764 1,125 1,423 

REGION

Northeast 843 709 618 739 684 673 760 1,000 North Central 992 872 731 930 762 754 770 1,124 South 2,226 1,997 1,733 2,298 1,765 1,633 1,830 2,576 West 3,783 3,200 3,157 3,351 1,176 1,477 2,675 2,167 

ADULT

EDUCATION2

<High School N/A N/A 1,580 1,929 918 983 1,474 1,736 High School Grad N/A N/A 2,254 2,645 1,510 1,498 1,821 2,148 Some College N/A N/A 1,842 2,170 1,093 1,145 1,344 1,484 College Graduate N/A N/A 563 574 866 911 1,396 1,499 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time N/A N/A 2,922 3,318 2,856 3,099 3,061 3,557 Part-time N/A N/A 1,257 1,443 450 428 553 649 Unemployed N/A N/A 602 703 291 257 248 239 Other N/A N/A 1,458 1,854 790 753 2,173 2,422 

3

N/A: Not applicable.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons aged >1

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
62

90714 (103A)

Table 3A. Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Lifetime Users of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. Population 

1979-1998 

Drug 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 199

Any Illicit Drug 56,414 66,172 69,256 68,528 70,776 71,935 72,426 74,39

1 bbbbabb

Marijuana and Hashish 50,322 56,547 61,900 62,075 64,149 65,229 65,545 68,57

bbbbabb

Cocaine 15,541 21,495 23,271 22,482 23,369 21,821 21,700 22,13

b

Crack -- -- 4,194 3,010 4,034 4,042 3,895 4,62

b

Inhalants -- 15,167 12,300 10,988 12,240 12,178 12,016 11,90Hallucinogens 16,016 13,221 17,007 17,065 18,743 18,217 20,129 20,69

bbbb b

PCP -- 3,811 4,936 5,550 5,683 5,911 6,718 6,75

bbbab

LSD -- 8,889 13,045 13,681 14,471 14,711 15,852 16,40

bbb a

Heroin 2,324 1,826 2,433 1,687 2,102 2,083 2,451 2,44Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic -- 29,386 24,053 22,552 21,793 20,926 21,446 20,40

2 ba

Stimulants -- 14,139 11,385 10,284 10,007 9,671 10,360 10,07

b

Sedatives -- 9,260 6,482 5,309 5,320 5,460 5,760 4,86

b a

Tranquilizers -- 14,692 10,445 9,766 8,751 8,390 8,251 7,77

b a

Analgesics -- 14,693 13,782 12,634 13,324 12,552 12,806 11,79

a

Any Illicit Drug other than Marijuana -- 43,130 40,228 38,923 40,803 39,383 40,426 40,37

1

Alcohol 159,525 163,608 169,640 168,572 171,167 176,290 174,182 176,70

b a

"Binge" Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -

3

Heavy Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -

3

Cigarettes -- 150,233 151,922 150,283 151,936 153,509 151,917 153,25Smokeless Tobacco -- -- 35,420 37,538 32,862 36,042 35,899 36,36

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available. NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. The 1

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anothepercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 19

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. Fnot shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably from years. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey years Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug within texample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and not 

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescriptio

1

nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish userother listed drugs are included. Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time or 

3

other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users are 

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
63

90714 (103B)Table 3B. Percentages Reporting Lifetime Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older

Drug 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 199

Any Illicit Drug 31.3 34.4 34.1 33.3 34.2 34.4 34.2 34.

1 b

Marijuana and Hashish 27.9 29.4 30.5 30.2 31.0 31.1 31.0 32.

b a a a

Cocaine 8.6 11.2 11.5 10.9 11.3 10.4 10.3 10.

a

Crack -- -- 2.1 1.5 1.9 1.9 1.8 2.

b

Inhalants -- 7.9 6.1 5.3 5.9 5.8 5.7 5.

b

Hallucinogens 8.9 6.9 8.4 8.3 9.0 8.7 9.5 9.

baa a

PCP -- 2.0 2.4 2.7 2.7 2.8 3.2 3.

bbaaa

LSD -- 4.6 6.4 6.7 7.0 7.0 7.5 7.

b a

Heroin 1.3 0.9 1.2 0.8 1.0 1.0 1.2 1.Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic -- 15.3 11.9 11.0 10.5 10.0 10.1 9.

2 bb

Stimulants -- 7.3 5.6 5.0 4.8 4.6 4.9 4.

b a

Sedatives -- 4.8 3.2 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.7 2.

b b

Tranquilizers -- 7.6 5.1 4.7 4.2 4.0 3.9 3.

bba

Analgesics -- 7.6 6.8 6.1 6.4 6.0 6.1 5.

b a

Any Illicit Drug other than Marijuana -- 22.4 19.8 18.9 19.7 18.8 19.1 18.

1 b

Alcohol 88.5 84.9 83.6 81.9 82.6 84.2 82.3 82.

a b

"Binge" Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -

3

Heavy Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -

3

Cigarettes -- 78.0 74.9 73.1 73.3 73.3 71.8 71.

b ba 

Smokeless Tobacco -- -- 17.5 18.2 15.9 17.2 17.0 17.

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available. NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. The 1

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anothepercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 19

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. Fnot shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably from years. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey years Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug within texample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and not 

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescriptio

1

nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish userother listed drugs are included. Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time or 

3

other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users are 

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
64

90714 (104A)

Table 4A. Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Past Year Users of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. Population 

1979-1998 

Drug 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 199

Any Illicit Drug 31,485 31,488 22,612 20,046 21,402 22,663 22,662 23,18

1 bb

Marijuana and Hashish 29,869 26,145 18,067 16,322 17,510 17,813 17,755 18,39

b b

Cocaine 8,608 9,839 5,284 4,332 3,947 3,664 3,664 4,03

bba

Crack -- -- 1,451 1,144 1,416 1,258 1,018 1,37

Inhalants -- 2,657 2,379 1,889 1,940 2,213 2,308 2,42Hallucinogens 5,260 3,198 2,562 2,530 2,479 2,725 3,416 3,60

aaaa

PCP -- 455 172 207 199 206 322 38LSD -- -- -- -- -- 1,651 2,108 2,10

Heroin 427 347 359 304 230 281 428 45

Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic -- 11,988 7,314 6,260 6,336 6,056 6,166 6,65

2 b

Stimulants -- 5,637 2,010 1,478 1,774 1,419 1,656 1,89

b

Sedatives -- 2,209 946 802 702 736 666 67

b

Tranquilizers -- 6,181 3,143 2,851 2,380 2,405 2,210 2,43

b

Analgesics -- 6,921 5,063 4,871 4,560 4,247 4,102 4,51

b

Any Illicit Drug other than Marijuana -- 18,725 12,624 10,815 10,968 11,127 11,393 11,64

1 b

Alcohol 131,443 140,394 138,113 133,090 137,771 140,121 138,314 138,91

"Binge" Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -

3

Heavy Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -

3

Cigarettes -- 78,026 73,419 72,409 68,831 66,475 67,639 69,09

a 

Smokeless Tobacco -- -- 10,704 11,416 9,168 10,017 9,667 10,03

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available. NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. The 1

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anothepercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 19

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. Fnot shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably from years. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey years Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug within texample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and not 

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescriptio

1

nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish userother listed drugs are included. Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time or 

3

other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users are 

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
65

90714 (104B)Table 4B. Percentages Reporting Past Year Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Old

Drug 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 199

Any Illicit Drug 17.5 16.3 11.1 9.7 10.3 10.8 10.7 10.

1 bb

Marijuana and Hashish 16.6 13.6 8.9 7.9 8.5 8.5 8.4 8.

b b

Cocaine 4.8 5.1 2.6 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.7 1.

bbb

Crack -- -- 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.

Inhalants -- 1.4 1.2 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.1 1.Hallucinogens 2.9 1.7 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.6 1.

b a

PCP -- 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.LSD -- -- -- -- -- 0.8 1.0 1.

Heroin 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.

Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic -- 6.2 3.6 3.0 3.1 2.9 2.9 3.

2 ba

Stimulants -- 2.9 1.0 0.7 0.9 0.7 0.8 0.

b

Sedatives -- 1.1 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.

b

Tranquilizers -- 3.2 1.5 1.4 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.

b a

Analgesics -- 3.6 2.5 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.9 2.

b

Any Illicit Drug other than Marijuana -- 9.7 6.2 5.3 5.3 5.3 5.4 5.

1 ba

Alcohol 72.9 72.9 68.1 64.7 66.5 66.9 65.4 64.

b b a

"Binge" Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -

3

Heavy Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -

3

Cigarettes -- 40.5 36.2 35.2 33.2 31.7 32.0 32.

bba 

Smokeless Tobacco -- -- 5.3 5.5 4.4 4.8 4.6 4.

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available. NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. The 1

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anothepercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 19

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. Fnot shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably from years. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey years Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug within texample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and not 

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescriptio

1

nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish userother listed drugs are included. Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time or 

3

other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users are 

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
66

90714 (105A)

Table 5A. Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Past Month Users of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. Populatio

1979-1998 

Drug 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 199

Any Illicit Drug 25,399 23,272 13,368 12,033 12,256 12,553 12,823 13,03

1 bb

Marijuana and Hashish 23,790 18,641 10,366 9,676 9,610 10,112 9,842 10,09

b b

Cocaine 4,743 5,686 2,032 1,402 1,404 1,382 1,453 1,74

b b

Crack -- -- 666 436 579 520 420 66

Inhalants -- 1,156 806 586 589 799 896 96Hallucinogens 3,382 2,257 1,115 842 826 960 1,469 1,31

a aab

PCP -- * * 16 29 34 40 12LSD -- -- -- -- -- 436 548 48

Heroin 128 137 71 92 68 117 196 21Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic -- 7,319 3,934 3,124 3,189 2,566 2,601 3,08

2 ba

Stimulants -- 3,407 906 688 976 678 798 76

b

Sedatives -- 964 468 430 315 222 421 23Tranquilizers -- 4,282 2,232 1,646 1,223 967 809 95

baa

Analgesics -- 2,657 1,723 1,828 1,675 1,542 1,264 1,88

Any Illicit Drug other than Marijuana -- 11,832 6,187 4,909 4,873 4,907 5,574 5,80

1 b

Alcohol 114,065 115,984 105,938 100,789 105,351 112,804 110,501 109,14

a

"Binge" Alcohol Use -- 38,545 31,119 29,493 29,984 33,409 32,415 31,87

3

Heavy Alcohol Use -- 15,757 13,540 12,689 13,681 12,650 11,319 11,21

3

Cigarettes -- 74,545 67,030 65,695 61,386 59,955 60,902 61,75

b 

Smokeless Tobacco -- -- 7,562 8,283 6,694 6,838 6,907 6,81

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available. NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. The 1

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anothepercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 19

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. Fnot shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably from years. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey years Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug within texample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and not 

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescriptio

1

nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish userother listed drugs are included. Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time or 

3

other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users are 

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
67

90714 (105B)Table 5B. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and O

Drug 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 199

Any Illicit Drug 14.1 12.1 6.6 5.8 5.9 6.0 6.1 6.

1 bb

Marijuana and Hashish 13.2 9.7 5.1 4.7 4.6 4.8 4.7 4.

b b

Cocaine 2.6 3.0 1.0 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.

b b

Crack -- -- 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.

Inhalants -- 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.Hallucinogens 1.9 1.2 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.

a aaa

PCP -- * * 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.LSD -- -- -- -- -- 0.2 0.3 0.

Heroin 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic -- 3.8 1.9 1.5 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.

2 ba

Stimulants -- 1.8 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.

b

Sedatives -- 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.Tranquilizers -- 2.2 1.1 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.

baa

Analgesics -- 1.4 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.

Any Illicit Drug other than Marijuana -- 6.1 3.0 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.6 2.

1 b

Alcohol 63.2 60.2 52.2 49.0 50.8 53.9 52.2 51.

b b

"Binge" Alcohol Use -- 20.2 15.5 14.5 14.6 16.5 15.8 15.

3 b

Heavy Alcohol Use -- 8.3 6.8 6.2 6.7 6.2 5.5 5.

3 a

Cigarettes -- 38.7 33.0 31.9 29.6 28.6 28.8 28.

bba 

Smokeless Tobacco -- -- 3.7 4.0 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available. NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. The 1

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anothepercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 19

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. Fnot shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably from years. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey years Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug within texample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and not 

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescriptio

1

nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish userother listed drugs are included. Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time or 

3

other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users are 

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
68

90714 (5B)Table 6. Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. P

Older: 1997 and 1998 

TIME PERIOD

Lifetime Past Year P

Drug 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 

Any Illicit Drug 35.6 35.8 11.2 10.6 6.4 

1

Marijuana and Hashish 32.9 33.0 9.0 8.6 5.1 Cocaine 10.5 10.6 1.9 1.7 0.7 

Crack 1.9 2.0 0.6 0.4 0.3 

Inhalants 5.7 5.8 1.1 0.9 0.4 Hallucinogens 9.6 9.9 1.9 1.6 0.8 

PCP 3.0 3.5 0.2 0.2 0.1 LSD 7.8 7.9 0.9 0.8 0.2 

Heroin 0.9 1.1 0.3 0.1 0.2 

a

Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic 9.1 9.2 2.8 2.6 1.2 

2

Stimulants 4.5 4.4 0.8 0.7 0.3 Sedatives 1.9 2.1 0.3 0.2 0.1 Tranquilizers 3.2 3.5 1.0 0.9 0.4 Analgesics 4.9 5.3 1.9 1.9 0.7 

Any Illicit Drug  Other than Marijuana 18.9 18.9 5.5 4.9 2.6 

1

Alcohol 81.9 81.3 64.1 64.0 51.4 

“Binge” Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- 15.3 

3

Heavy Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- 5.4 

3

Cigarettes 70.5 69.7 32.7 30.6 29.6 

a a

Smokeless Tobacco 17.3 17.2 4.7 4.4 3.2 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

-- Not available.

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescrip

1

nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish usthe other listed drugs are included.Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time 

3

other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
69

90714 (6B)Table 7. Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. P

1997 and 1998 

TIME PERIOD

Lifetime Past Year P

Drug 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 

Any Illicit Drug 23.7 21.3 18.8 16.4 11.4 

1a a a

Marijuana and Hashish 18.9 17.0 15.8 14.1 9.4 

a

Cocaine 3.0 2.2 2.2 1.7 1.0 

a

Crack 1.3 0.7 0.8 0.5 0.4 

a a

Inhalants 7.2 6.1 4.4 2.9 2.0 

b b

Hallucinogens 6.5 5.3 4.7 3.8 1.9 

PCP 1.4 1.2 0.5 0.6 0.1 LSD 5.2 4.2 2.9 2.6 0.7 

Heroin 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic 7.0 5.6 5.0 3.7 2.1 

2a a

Stimulants 2.3 1.7 1.7 1.2 0.6 Sedatives 0.8 1.0 0.4 0.6 0.1 Tranquilizers 2.1 1.7 1.3 1.1 0.5 Analgesics 5.2 4.6 3.6 3.1 1.3 

Any Illicit Drug  Other than Marijuana 14.2 12.0 10.0 7.5 5.2 

1a b a

Alcohol 39.7 37.3 34.0 31.8 20.5 

“Binge” Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- 8.3 

3

Heavy Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- 3.1 

3

Cigarettes 38.7 35.8 26.4 23.8 19.9 

b a

Smokeless Tobacco 9.6 8.9 4.6 3.7 2.0 

a

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

-- Not available.

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescrip

1

nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish usthe other listed drugs are included.Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time 

3

other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
70

90714 (7B)Table 8. Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. P

1997 and 1998 

TIME PERIOD

Lifetime Past Year P

Drug 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 

Any Illicit Drug 45.4 48.1 25.3 27.4 14.7 

1

Marijuana and Hashish 41.5 44.6 22.3 24.1 12.8 Cocaine 8.9 10.0 3.9 4.7 1.2 

a

Crack 2.9 2.7 1.0 0.8 0.4 

Inhalants 10.1 10.8 3.2 3.2 1.0 Hallucinogens 15.0 17.4 6.6 7.2 2.5 

a

PCP 2.4 3.0 0.4 0.4 0.1 LSD 13.2 14.0 3.7 3.4 1.0 

Heroin 1.0 1.1 0.5 0.4 0.1 Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic 11.5 11.4 5.8 6.4 2.4 

2

Stimulants 3.8 3.9 1.5 1.9 0.7 Sedatives 1.5 1.3 0.6 0.5 0.2 Tranquilizers 4.9 5.1 2.5 2.7 1.0 Analgesics 7.5 8.2 3.8 4.4 1.3 

Any Illicit Drug  Other than Marijuana 24.6 26.4 12.1 13.4 5.4 

1

Alcohol 83.5 83.2 75.1 74.2 58.4 

“Binge” Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- 28.0 

3 a

Heavy Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- 11.1 

3 a

Cigarettes 67.7 68.8 45.9 47.1 40.6 Smokeless Tobacco 23.8 24.1 8.3 9.0 4.5 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

-- Not available.

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescrip

1

nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish usthe other listed drugs are included.Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time 

3

other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
71

90714 (8B)Table 9. Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. P

1997 and 1998 

TIME PERIOD

Lifetime Past Year P

Drug 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 

Any Illicit Drug 50.8 50.6 14.3 12.7 7.4 

1

Marijuana and Hashish 47.9 47.9 11.2 9.7 6.0 Cocaine 18.4 17.1 3.1 2.7 0.9 

Crack 3.6 3.9 0.9 0.7 0.3 

Inhalants 8.3 9.1 0.7 0.5 0.4 Hallucinogens 15.1 13.2 1.6 1.1 0.5 

PCP 3.2 4.0 0.0 0.0 * LSD 11.8 10.6 0.5 0.3 0.1 

Heroin 1.0 0.9 0.2 0.1 0.2 Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic 11.7 11.5 3.7 3.1 1.4 

2

Stimulants 5.2 5.1 0.7 0.6 0.2 Sedatives 2.0 2.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 Tranquilizers 4.7 4.6 1.5 1.1 0.7 Analgesics 6.8 6.6 2.3 2.0 0.6 

Any Illicit Drug  Other than Marijuana 28.4 27.2 6.8 6.1 2.8 

1

Alcohol 88.9 88.2 74.6 74.5 60.2 

“Binge” Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- 23.1 

3

Heavy Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- 7.5 

3

Cigarettes 72.8 71.8 37.7 36.6 33.7 Smokeless Tobacco 23.9 23.4 6.1 6.0 4.2 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

-- Not available.

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescrip

1

nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish usthe other listed drugs are included.Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time 

3

other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
72

90714 (9B)Table 10. Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the U.S. P

Older: 1997 and 1998 

TIME PERIOD

Lifetime Past Year P

Drug 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 

Any Illicit Drug 31.5 31.8 6.1 5.5 3.6 

1

Marijuana and Hashish 29.4 29.4 4.4 4.1 2.6 Cocaine 9.9 10.4 1.1 0.9 0.5 

Crack 1.4 1.7 0.4 0.3 0.2 

Inhalants 3.8 3.8 0.1 0.2 0.0 Hallucinogens 7.4 8.2 0.5 0.2 0.3 

PCP 3.3 3.9 0.1 0.1 0.1 LSD 5.9 6.5 0.1 0.1 * 

Heroin 1.0 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 

a a

Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic 8.3 8.8 1.6 1.5 0.8 

2

Stimulants 4.9 4.8 0.5 0.4 0.2 Sedatives 2.1 2.5 0.2 0.2 0.1 Tranquilizers 2.6 3.2 0.5 0.4 0.2 Analgesics 3.9 4.5 1.2 1.1 0.5 

Any Illicit Drug  Other than Marijuana 16.0 16.4 3.0 2.4 1.4 

1

Alcohol 87.0 86.6 64.1 64.6 52.8 

“Binge” Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- 11.7 

3

Heavy Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- 4.0 

3

Cigarettes 76.0 75.2 29.7 26.7 27.9 

b b

Smokeless Tobacco 15.5 15.6 3.5 3.1 2.9 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

-- Not available.

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescrip

1

nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish usthe other listed drugs are included.Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time 

3

other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
73

90714 (108B)Table 11. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Any Illicit Drug, by Age Group, Race/Ethnicity, and Gender: 1979-199

Demographic

Characteristics 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 19TOTAL 14.1 12.1 6.6 5.8 5.9 6.0 6.1 6

b b

AGE GROUP

12-17 16.3 13.2 5.8 5.3 5.7 8.2 10.9 9

a bbba 

18-25 38.0 25.3 15.4 13.1 13.6 13.3 14.2 15

b b a

26-34 20.8 23.1 10.0 11.4 9.5 8.5 8.3 8

bbab a 

>35 2.8 3.9 3.4 2.5 3.0 3.2 2.8 2

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 14.2 12.3 6.5 6.1 6.1 6.0 6.0 6

b b

Black, non-Hispanic 13.3 12.7 8.1 5.6 5.8 7.3 7.9 7

aa ba

Hispanic 12.9 8.9 5.3 4.4 5.2 5.4 5.1 5

aa a

Other, non-Hispanic 15.1 10.7 6.0 3.9 4.3 3.1 4.0 4

b

GENDER

Male 19.2 14.9 7.9 7.6 7.7 7.9 7.8 8

b b

Female 9.4 9.5 5.4 4.2 4.3 4.3 4.5 4

b b

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available.NOTE: Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any pr

used nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuanused any of the other listed drugs are included.

NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. The 

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anothpercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 1

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. not shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably froyears. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey year

 Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug withiexample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and n

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
74

90714 (114B)Table 12. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Marijuana, by Age Group, Race/Ethnicity, and Gender: 1979-1998 

Demographic

Characteristics 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 19TOTAL 13.2 9.7 5.1 4.7 4.6 4.8 4.7 4

b b

AGE GROUP

12-17 14.2 10.2 3.6 3.4 4.0 6.0 8.2 7

a bbbb

18-25 35.6 21.7 12.9 10.9 11.1 12.1 12.0 13

b a

26-34 19.7 19.0 7.7 9.3 7.5 6.9 6.7 6

bb a aa

>35 2.9 2.6 2.6 2.0 2.4 2.3 1.8 2

a

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 13.6 10.0 5.2 5.1 4.9 4.8 4.7 4

b b

Black, non-Hispanic 11.0 9.9 5.5 3.9 4.2 5.9 5.9 6

a bb

Hispanic 11.4 6.4 3.6 3.0 3.9 4.1 3.9 3

a a

Other, non-Hispanic 12.2 7.6 4.2 2.6 3.2 3.0 2.8 3

b

GENDER

Male 18.1 12.6 6.8 6.4 6.4 6.7 6.2 6

b b

Female 8.7 7.1 3.6 3.1 3.0 3.1 3.3 3

b b

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available.NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. Th

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anotpercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. not shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably fryears. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey yea Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug withiexample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and n

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
75

90714 (117B)Table 13. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Cocaine, by Age Group, Race/Ethnicity, and Gender: 1979-1998 

Demographic

Characteristics 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 19TOTAL 2.6 3.0 1.0 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0

b b

AGE GROUP

12-17 1.5 1.5 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.8 0

b a

18-25 9.9 8.1 2.2 2.0 1.6 1.2 1.3 2

b b a 

26-34 3.0 6.3 1.9 1.5 1.0 1.3 1.2 1

a b

>35 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0

a

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 2.4 3.0 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.6 0

b b

Black, non-Hispanic 2.8 3.4 1.9 1.0 1.4 1.3 1.1 1

b

Hispanic 4.8 2.5 1.7 1.3 1.2 1.1 0.7 1

a a 

Other, non-Hispanic 3.5 * 2.1 0.1 * * 0.3 0

a

GENDER

Male 3.5 3.9 1.4 1.0 1.0 0.9 1.0 1

b b

Female 1.8 2.1 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0

b b

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available.NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. Th

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anotpercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. not shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably fryears. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey yea Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug withiexample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and n

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
76

90714 (120B)Table 14. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Alcohol, by Age Group, Race/Ethnicity, and Gender: 1979-1998 

Demographic

Characteristics 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 19TOTAL 63.2 60.2 52.2 49.0 50.8 53.9 52.2 51

b b

AGE GROUP

12-17 49.6 41.2 27.0 20.9 23.9 21.6 21.1 18

bbb aa

18-25 75.1 70.1 63.1 58.6 58.7 63.1 61.3 60

b a

26-34 71.6 70.6 62.7 62.3 63.8 65.3 63.0 61

b a b

>35 59.7 57.5 50.4 47.4 49.8 54.1 52.6 51

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 64.4 62.8 54.0 50.9 54.0 56.7 55.6 54

b a

Black, non-Hispanic 58.8 50.6 47.2 42.8 40.5 43.8 40.8 41

bba a

Hispanic 58.6 49.3 46.3 43.7 44.3 47.7 45.2 43

b

Other, non-Hispanic 50.9 * 42.4 39.2 33.0 42.0 36.9 35

a

GENDER

Male 72.4 69.2 59.6 57.2 58.7 60.3 60.1 58

b b

Female 54.9 52.0 45.4 41.4 43.6 47.9 45.0 43

b a

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available.NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. Th

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anotpercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. not shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably fryears. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey yea Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug withiexample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and n

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
77

90714 (121B)Table 15. Percentages Reporting Past Month "Binge" Alcohol Use, by Age Group, Race/Ethnicity, and Gender: 1979-1998 

Demographic

Characteristics 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 19TOTAL -- 20.2 15.5 14.5 14.6 16.5 15.8 15

b

AGE GROUP

12-17 -- 21.9 13.2 10.0 11.0 8.3 7.9 7

b a

18-25 -- 34.4 31.2 29.9 29.1 33.6 29.9 3226-34 -- 27.5 21.5 22.8 21.9 24.0 24.0 22>35 -- 12.9 10.1 9.0 9.6 11.8 11.8 11

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic -- 21.6 16.2 15.3 15.6 17.1 16.6 16

b

Black, non-Hispanic -- 12.1 11.0 10.3 9.0 11.5 11.2 13Hispanic -- 19.1 18.4 16.3 17.2 18.3 17.2 16

a

Other, non-Hispanic -- 11.1 9.6 7.6 6.5 13.0 9.7 7

GENDER

Male -- 31.6 23.5 21.9 22.7 24.7 23.8 22

b

Female -- 9.8 8.3 7.7 7.3 8.9 8.5 8

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available.NOTE: “Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the sam

each other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy AlcAlcohol Users.

NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. The 

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anothpercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 1

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. not shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably froyears. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey year

 Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug withiexample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and n

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
78

90714 (122B)Table 16. Percentages Reporting Past Month Heavy Alcohol Use, by Age Group, Race/Ethnicity, and Gender: 1979-1998 

Demographic

Characteristics 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 19TOTAL -- 8.3 6.8 6.2 6.7 6.2 5.5 5

a

AGE GROUP

12-17 -- 9.5 6.0 3.4 3.4 2.5 2.8 218-25 -- 13.8 15.2 15.1 14.0 13.2 12.0 1226-34 -- 11.5 7.9 8.5 8.5 8.0 7.9 7>35 -- 5.2 4.4 3.9 5.0 4.8 3.9 3

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic -- 9.1 7.2 6.8 7.5 6.4 5.7 5

a

Black, non-Hispanic -- 3.5 4.3 3.5 3.3 4.8 4.6 5Hispanic -- 7.1 6.8 6.3 6.0 7.3 6.3 6Other, non-Hispanic -- * 3.3 2.2 1.9 4.7 2.4 2

GENDER

Male -- 13.8 10.8 10.1 11.9 10.3 9.4 9

a

Female -- 3.2 3.1 2.7 1.9 2.5 2.0 1

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available.NOTE: “Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the sam

each other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy AlcAlcohol Users.

NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. The 

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anothpercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 1

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. not shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably froyears. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey year

 Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug withiexample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and n

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
79

90714 (125B)Table 17. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Cigarettes, by Age Group, Race/Ethnicity, and Gender: 1979-1998 

Demographic

Characteristics 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 19TOTAL -- 38.7 33.0 31.9 29.6 28.6 28.8 28

bba 

AGE GROUP

12-17 -- 29.4 20.9 18.4 18.5 18.9 20.2 18

b

18-25 -- 47.4 41.7 41.5 37.9 34.6 35.3 38

bb

26-34 -- 45.7 37.3 38.2 34.2 32.4 34.7 35

b a

>35 -- 35.5 31.6 30.0 28.2 27.9 27.2 27

ba a 

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic -- 38.9 33.5 32.8 30.3 29.4 29.7 29

baa 

Black, non-Hispanic -- 38.0 31.2 29.8 26.2 28.4 28.1 30

a

Hispanic -- 40.0 33.6 29.2 29.0 25.8 24.7 24

b b

Other, non-Hispanic -- * 28.0 25.4 27.6 20.5 23.5 17

GENDER

Male -- 43.4 35.2 34.1 32.2 31.5 31.0 31

b a

Female -- 34.5 31.1 30.0 27.3 26.0 26.8 26

bba 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available.NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. Th

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anotpercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. not shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably fryears. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey yea Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug withiexample, some adjusted estimates of past year use may appear to be greater then adjusted lifetime estimates. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and n

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
80

90714 (126A)

Table 18A. Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Marijuana, Cocaine, and Alcohol Users in the U.S. Population Aged 12 an

Frequency of Use: 1985-1998 

Drug/Frequency of 

Use in Past Year 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 199MARIJUANA

Fewer than 12 days -- 12,824 9,564 8,216 9,001 9,272 8,584 8,60

1 b

12 or more days -- 14,153 8,575 8,198 8,517 8,541 9,171 9,79

1,2 b a b a b

51 or more days -- 8,423 4,880 4,914 4,816 5,139 5,316 6,06

1 bbbbb

COCAINE

Fewer than 12 days -- 7,141 3,837 3,042 2,688 2,408 2,486 2,61

1 b a

12 or more days -- 2,722 1,460 1,297 1,262 1,255 1,178 1,41

1,2 a

51 or more days -- 781 806 829 615 734 582 60

1

ALCOHOL

Fewer than 12 days -- 47,957 54,239 55,779 55,057 55,126 53,967 54,86

1

12 or more days -- 93,190 84,455 77,825 83,354 84,995 84,346 84,04

1,2 a

51 or more days -- 53,364 42,787 41,497 44,359 45,662 48,639 46,56

1 aa

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available.NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. Th

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anotpercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. not shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably fryears. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey yea Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug withiexample, the number of past year users of a drug shown here from the frequency of use in the past year question may differ from the estimated number of past use question. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and not statistically significant. 

For 1993 and earlier, "occasional" use is equivalent to use in the past year but on "fewer than 12 days" in this table. Also for 1993 and earlier, "monthly" use is equiva

1

the past year in this table and "weekly" use is equivalent to use on "51 or more days" in the past year in this table.

The category "12 or more days" includes "51 or more days"; the sum of "fewer than 12 days" and "12 or more days" is equivalent to all past year users. 2

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office Of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
81

90714 (126B)

Table 18B. Percentages Reporting Marijuana, Cocaine, and Alcohol Use in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older, by Past 

1985-1998 

Drug/Frequency of

Use in Past Year 1979 1985 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 199MARIJUANA

Fewer than 12 days -- 6.7 4.7 4.0 4.3 4.4 4.1 4

1 ba a

12 or more days -- 7.3 4.2 4.0 4.1 4.1 4.3 4

1,2 b a a

51 or more days -- 4.4 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.5 2.5 2

1 aaaaba

COCAINE

Fewer than 12 days -- 3.7 1.9 1.5 1.3 1.2 1.2 1

1 bb

12 or more days -- 1.4 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0

1,2 b

51 or more days -- 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0

1

ALCOHOL

Fewer than 12 days -- 24.9 26.7 27.1 26.6 26.3 25.5 25

1 a

12 or more days -- 48.4 41.6 37.8 40.2 40.6 39.9 39

1,2 b

51 or more days -- 27.7 21.1 20.2 21.4 21.8 23.0 21

1 b

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available.NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. Th

projections based on the 1970 census; NHSDAs from 1982 through 1992 used projections based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to anotpercentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on estimates of number of drug users in some subpopulation groups.

NOTE: Estimates for 1979 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 

adjusted to improve their comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. not shown (as indicated by --) where (a) the relevant data were not collected, or (b) the data for those drugs were based on measures that differed appreciably fryears. Consequently, adjustments to the 1979 and 1982 data were made only for those drugs whose measures were comparable to those in the other survey yea Because of the methodology used to adjust the 1979 through 1993 estimates, some logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug withiexample, the number of past year users of a drug shown here from the frequency of use in the past year question may differ from the estimated number of past use question. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare and not statistically significant. 

For 1993 and earlier, "occasional" use is equivalent to use in the past year but on "fewer than 12 days" in this table. Also for 1993 and earlier, "monthly" use is equiva

1

the past year in this table and "weekly" use is equivalent to use on "51 or more days" in the past year in this table.

The category "12 or more days" includes "51 or more days"; the sum of "fewer than 12 days" and "12 or more days" is equivalent to all past year users. 2

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office Of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
82

90714 (35B)Table 19. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Any Illicit Drug, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: 1997 

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Demographic

Characteristic 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 

TOTAL 11.4 9.9 14.7 16.1 7.4 7.0 3.6 3.3 

a

RACE/

ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 11.8 10.3 15.1 17.6 8.4 7.1 3.6 3.2 Black, non-Hispanic 11.0 9.9 15.5 17.1 7.0 9.4 4.4 4.8 Hispanic 10.5 9.9 10.5 11.1 3.8 5.4 3.7 3.5 Other, non-Hispanic 10.4 6.2 17.9 8.4 3.2 4.3 * 1.7 

GENDER

Male 12.3 10.3 19.6 20.5 9.6 9.8 5.0 4.4 

a

Female 10.6 9.5 9.6 11.7 5.2 4.3 2.3 2.4 

POPULATION

DENSITY1

Large Metro 11.8 10.0 14.8 15.0 8.6 7.7 3.2 3.8 Small Metro 12.7 10.6 16.9 18.9 5.7 7.4 4.4 3.4 Nonmetro 9.0 8.8 10.8 12.8 7.3 4.7 3.0 2.3 

REGION

Northeast 10.5 10.7 12.7 15.6 4.3 7.2 2.5 2.9 North Central 12.2 11.6 13.6 21.3 9.7 7.0 4.3 2.6 

b

South 10.7 7.8 13.6 13.1 6.2 6.6 3.1 3.2 

b

West 12.7 11.0 19.2 16.0 9.3 7.6 4.6 4.7 

ADULT

EDUCATION2

<High School N/A N/A 17.9 20.6 9.6 9.8 3.7 2.7 High School Grad N/A N/A 15.0 16.1 6.8 8.2 3.8 3.4 Some College N/A N/A 14.2 16.3 9.3 6.7 3.7 3.8 College Graduate N/A N/A 8.7 7.3 5.0 4.8 3.1 3.2 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time N/A N/A 13.5 15.6 7.2 6.9 4.8 4.3 Part-time N/A N/A 16.1 17.1 8.5 10.4 2.7 2.3 Unemployed N/A N/A 19.2 28.2 15.5 14.7 10.3 14.4 

a

Other N/A N/A 14.0 12.9 4.6 3.4 1.6 1.4 

3

*Low precision; no estimate reported.N/A: Not applicable.NOTE: Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any pr

used nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuanused any of the other listed drugs are included.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons aged > 

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
83

90714 (41B)Table 20. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Marijuana, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: 1997 and 

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Demographic

Characteristic 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 

TOTAL 9.4 8.3 12.8 13.8 6.0 5.5 2.6 2.5 RACE/

ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 9.8 8.7 13.4 14.9 6.9 5.7 2.6 2.5 Black, non-Hispanic 9.1 8.3 14.1 15.2 5.7 7.4 3.1 3.3 Hispanic 8.4 7.6 7.8 9.0 2.4 3.2 2.1 2.4 Other, non-Hispanic 8.0 4.3 15.9 8.3 2.5 4.0 * 1.6 

GENDER

Male 10.3 8.6 17.4 17.2 7.7 8.1 3.7 3.5 Female 8.4 7.9 8.2 10.3 4.2 2.9 1.5 1.7 

a

POPULATION

DENSITY1

Large Metro 10.0 8.1 13.1 13.0 7.2 6.0 1.9 3.0 Small Metro 10.2 9.1 14.9 16.6 4.2 6.0 3.2 2.3 Nonmetro 7.2 7.3 9.2 9.8 5.7 3.1 2.7 2.1 

a

REGION

Northeast 9.6 8.3 11.9 12.8 3.2 5.4 1.7 2.4 North Central 10.4 9.9 12.2 17.9 8.8 5.8 3.6 2.0 

a

South 8.4 6.9 12.2 11.2 4.8 5.2 1.9 2.6 West 9.8 8.6 15.6 14.3 6.9 5.6 3.4 3.3 

ADULT

EDUCATION2

<High School N/A N/A 15.0 17.5 8.3 6.2 2.4 1.6 High School Grad N/A N/A 12.8 14.5 5.5 6.2 2.9 3.0 Some College N/A N/A 13.0 13.2 6.7 5.6 2.7 2.7 College Graduate N/A N/A 8.2 6.1 4.5 4.2 2.1 2.5 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time N/A N/A 11.5 12.8 5.9 5.3 3.3 3.5 Part-time N/A N/A 14.2 15.3 7.4 8.7 2.1 2.0 Unemployed N/A N/A 16.9 25.6 12.1 10.1 * 11.5 

a

Other N/A N/A 12.9 10.9 3.1 2.7 1.1 0.8 

3

*Low precision; no estimate reported.N/A: Not applicable.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons aged > 

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
84

90714 (44B)Table 21. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Cocaine, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: 1997 and 19

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Demographic

Characteristic 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 

TOTAL 1.0 0.8 1.2 2.0 0.9 1.2 0.5 0.5 

a

RACE/

ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 1.1 0.9 1.2 2.2 0.7 1.0 0.4 0.3 Black, non-Hispanic 0.1 * 0.9 0.6 1.8 2.7 1.7 1.3 Hispanic 1.0 1.4 1.5 2.7 0.9 1.1 0.5 0.9 

a 

Other, non-Hispanic 1.4 * 1.1 0.4 * * * * 

GENDER

Male 0.9 0.6 1.9 2.6 1.0 1.4 0.6 0.7 Female 1.1 1.0 0.5 1.3 0.7 0.9 0.4 0.2 

a

POPULATION

DENSITY1

Large Metro 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.8 0.9 1.4 0.5 0.7 Small Metro 1.3 0.9 1.4 2.4 0.4 1.1 0.5 0.3 Nonmetro 0.9 0.5 1.3 1.4 1.4 0.7 0.4 0.3 

REGION

Northeast 0.5 0.2 0.6 1.8 0.5 1.9 0.7 * 

a

North Central 0.9 0.4 1.4 2.3 0.4 0.9 0.5 0.2 South 0.9 1.1 0.8 1.7 1.2 1.1 0.4 0.7 West 1.5 1.3 2.3 2.2 1.1 0.9 0.4 0.7 

ADULT

EDUCATION2

<High School N/A N/A 2.5 3.0 1.2 2.7 0.4 0.8 High School Grad N/A N/A 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.3 0.5 0.5 Some College N/A N/A 0.6 1.9 1.1 0.7 0.7 0.2 

a

College Graduate N/A N/A 1.2 * 0.2 0.7 0.3 0.4 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time N/A N/A 1.1 2.3 0.6 1.1 0.6 0.6 

a

Part-time N/A N/A 1.1 1.0 1.3 1.1 0.7 * Unemployed N/A N/A 2.3 5.8 3.7 2.9 2.0 2.3 

a

Other N/A N/A 1.1 1.0 0.7 0.9 0.2 0.2 

3

*Low precision; no estimate reported.N/A: Not applicable.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons aged > 

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
85

90714 (47B)Table 22. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Alcohol, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: 1997 and 199

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Demographic

Characteristic 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 

TOTAL 20.5 19.1 58.4 60.0 60.2 60.9 52.8 53.1 RACE/

ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 22.0 20.9 63.5 65.0 64.8 65.2 56.1 56.2 Black, non-Hispanic 16.3 13.1 46.6 50.3 51.0 54.8 40.9 38.3 Hispanic 18.8 18.9 48.5 50.8 51.6 53.1 42.8 47.7 Other, non-Hispanic 17.0 12.5 * 45.5 42.2 39.1 36.0 37.5 

GENDER

Male 21.0 19.4 65.9 68.2 67.9 67.7 60.6 61.4 Female 19.9 18.7 50.8 51.7 52.6 54.2 46.0 45.8 

POPULATION

DENSITY1

Large Metro 21.4 17.7 58.5 58.2 62.4 61.2 56.6 57.0 

a

Small Metro 20.4 20.0 58.7 63.1 62.3 61.5 53.5 54.6 Nonmetro 19.0 20.1 58.0 57.4 51.0 59.0 45.4 43.4 

a

REGION

Northeast 19.3 22.1 59.9 64.3 60.3 62.4 56.7 57.7 North Central 23.4 20.6 68.0 72.1 66.6 67.9 55.3 58.7 South 19.3 17.5 55.1 54.4 57.9 58.3 47.7 45.6 West 20.3 17.4 53.3 53.0 56.8 56.5 55.7 55.0 

ADULT

EDUCATION2

<High School N/A N/A 52.4 50.8 48.7 51.5 32.7 36.0 High School Grad N/A N/A 56.7 57.6 56.9 59.0 52.7 49.4 Some College N/A N/A 61.3 64.6 61.6 64.0 56.0 57.3 College Graduate N/A N/A 67.4 70.5 68.9 64.3 65.9 65.5 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time N/A N/A 65.3 66.6 64.0 64.4 60.4 60.9 Part-time N/A N/A 51.5 56.0 59.9 59.9 58.4 59.1 Unemployed N/A N/A 55.8 63.3 55.7 54.5 61.7 59.8 Other N/A N/A 51.3 49.4 44.6 45.3 40.8 40.6 

3

*Low precision; no estimate reported.N/A: Not applicable.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons aged > 

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
86

90714 (48B)Table 23. Percentages Reporting Past Month "Binge" Alcohol Use, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: 1997 a

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Demographic

Characteristic 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 

TOTAL 8.3 7.7 28.0 31.7 23.1 22.0 11.7 11.9 

a

RACE/

ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 9.3 9.3 32.6 37.6 26.4 23.7 11.9 12.1 

a

Black, non-Hispanic 3.9 2.9 12.9 15.9 13.3 16.9 10.1 10.4 Hispanic 7.4 6.3 21.6 24.9 19.6 20.3 15.3 13.0 Other, non-Hispanic 8.0 3.4 24.3 14.7 10.0 15.4 3.3 10.5 

a

GENDER

Male 9.7 8.7 38.7 42.6 33.8 31.7 18.7 19.2 Female 6.8 6.6 17.0 20.5 12.5 12.5 5.4 5.6 

POPULATION

DENSITY1

Large Metro 8.9 6.7 27.0 27.1 22.2 22.3 11.8 11.6 Small Metro 8.1 7.8 28.2 37.9 25.8 19.7 11.1 12.5 

b a

Nonmetro 7.3 9.5 29.3 28.4 20.5 25.1 12.2 11.7 

REGION

Northeast 8.3 8.3 23.9 32.2 20.4 21.2 9.4 8.8 

a

North Central 9.8 8.7 36.1 42.1 28.1 28.7 14.4 15.4 South 7.3 7.1 26.6 27.4 22.6 19.6 12.1 11.5 West 8.2 7.1 24.9 27.1 20.5 19.6 10.1 11.7 

ADULT

EDUCATION2

<High School N/A N/A 25.7 27.5 25.2 23.0 9.7 11.1 High School Grad N/A N/A 26.2 28.2 22.7 22.8 12.6 12.9 Some College N/A N/A 31.5 35.5 25.2 18.8 10.9 11.4 

a

College Graduate N/A N/A 27.7 38.5 20.4 23.7 12.6 11.8 

a

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time N/A N/A 31.2 36.7 25.9 25.3 16.1 16.9 

b

Part-time N/A N/A 24.7 30.0 20.3 14.5 10.0 9.6 Unemployed N/A N/A 26.4 26.2 30.3 23.6 18.7 20.4 Other N/A N/A 24.7 24.9 9.1 8.9 5.4 5.3 

3

*Low precision; no estimate reported.N/A: Not applicable.NOTE: “Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the sam

each other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy AlcAlcohol Users.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons aged > 

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
87

90714 (49B)Table 24. Percentages Reporting Past Month Heavy Alcohol Use, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: 1997 and 

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Demographic

Characteristic 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 

TOTAL 3.1 2.9 11.1 13.8 7.5 7.2 4.0 4.4 

a

RACE/

ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 3.4 3.6 12.9 16.7 8.3 7.1 4.1 4.2 

a

Black, non-Hispanic 1.5 0.7 5.3 6.3 5.4 7.8 3.4 4.6 Hispanic 3.9 2.4 8.9 10.5 6.7 7.7 5.9 5.8 Other, non-Hispanic 2.3 2.0 8.8 4.8 2.9 6.4 * 4.8 

GENDER

Male 3.8 3.8 17.5 19.6 12.1 11.9 6.9 7.8 Female 2.4 2.0 4.5 7.9 2.9 2.6 1.4 1.3 

a

POPULATION

DENSITY1

Large Metro 4.1 2.7 9.7 10.6 6.9 7.0 4.7 3.8 Small Metro 2.9 2.4 11.3 17.7 8.0 6.9 3.5 4.8 

a 

Nonmetro 1.8 4.2 13.2 12.4 8.1 8.1 3.6 4.7 

b

REGION

Northeast 3.7 2.9 8.4 12.8 8.3 5.9 4.2 2.5 North Central 3.7 3.3 14.7 21.7 7.0 9.7 4.5 6.7 South 2.5 2.7 10.8 11.3 8.2 7.0 4.0 4.5 West 3.1 2.9 9.8 10.4 6.1 6.3 3.3 3.4 

ADULT

EDUCATION2

<High School N/A N/A 11.8 12.1 10.2 11.0 4.9 6.2 High School Grad N/A N/A 10.0 12.3 8.1 8.4 2.9 4.9 

a 

Some College N/A N/A 13.5 16.6 6.1 6.1 3.8 3.7 College Graduate N/A N/A 6.3 12.5 6.6 5.3 5.0 3.1 

a

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time N/A N/A 12.0 16.0 8.1 8.4 5.2 6.0 

a

Part-time N/A N/A 10.8 11.6 6.1 6.0 1.6 2.6 Unemployed N/A N/A 10.8 12.9 12.3 8.6 * 10.1 Other N/A N/A 9.2 11.7 3.4 1.2 2.4 2.3 

3 a

*Low precision; no estimate reported.N/A: Not applicable.NOTE: “Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the sam

each other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy AlcAlcohol Users.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons aged > 

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
88

90714 (52B)Table 25. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Cigarettes, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: 1997 and 

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Demographic

Characteristic 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 

TOTAL 19.9 18.2 40.6 41.6 33.7 32.5 27.9 25.1 

b 

RACE/

ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 21.8 20.5 45.2 46.9 36.1 34.1 27.8 24.1 

b 

Black, non-Hispanic 14.9 13.7 30.2 30.7 28.4 31.5 33.8 32.2 Hispanic 16.0 15.1 30.9 31.5 28.7 25.4 28.9 27.0 Other, non-Hispanic 19.7 10.2 34.4 28.8 26.3 32.5 11.4 22.6 

a a

GENDER

Male 19.1 18.7 46.5 45.3 35.5 34.6 28.8 26.9 Female 20.7 17.7 34.6 37.8 31.9 30.5 27.1 23.4 

a b 

POPULATION

DENSITY1

Large Metro 17.4 15.7 36.4 36.9 32.9 31.7 25.1 24.9 Small Metro 21.6 18.5 40.4 43.6 32.3 31.3 29.8 23.7 

b 

Nonmetro 21.6 22.5 48.5 46.8 38.0 36.6 29.8 27.5 

REGION

Northeast 16.1 18.1 37.1 37.7 32.3 32.2 27.2 22.7 

a

North Central 22.4 21.6 44.5 52.2 37.3 38.9 28.4 27.8 

a

South 20.6 18.0 43.8 42.1 34.6 32.1 29.6 25.5 West 19.1 15.3 33.1 32.7 29.2 27.0 24.9 23.6 

a

ADULT

EDUCATION2

<High School N/A N/A 55.6 54.7 46.4 50.1 35.3 30.5 High School Grad N/A N/A 43.0 43.1 41.7 39.3 33.1 31.0 Some College N/A N/A 33.5 37.0 34.1 34.3 26.6 25.0 College Graduate N/A N/A 24.9 27.1 17.0 15.4 16.4 14.2 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time N/A N/A 43.6 45.3 33.2 32.7 29.9 27.7 Part-time N/A N/A 36.4 37.0 28.6 27.4 23.7 19.9 Unemployed N/A N/A 50.2 53.9 54.4 52.3 49.3 47.2 Other N/A N/A 34.6 34.5 31.7 28.8 24.4 21.2 

3

*Low precision; no estimate reported.N/A: Not applicable.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons aged > 

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
89

90714 (80B)Table 26. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Cigars, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: 1997 and 199

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Demographic

Characteristic 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 

TOTAL 5.0 5.6 10.8 11.9 8.0 8.6 4.5 5.7 

a 

RACE/

ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 5.5 6.4 12.4 13.4 8.8 10.0 4.5 6.1 

a 

Black, non-Hispanic 3.8 3.5 5.9 10.2 4.5 7.3 5.0 4.5 

b a

Hispanic 4.6 5.3 9.1 8.9 8.6 4.3 4.0 3.7 

b

Other, non-Hispanic 2.0 2.6 9.3 4.7 * * * * 

GENDER

Male 6.4 7.5 17.5 19.0 13.0 14.3 8.2 10.4 Female 3.4 3.7 4.0 4.6 3.2 3.1 1.2 1.5 

POPULATION

DENSITY1

Large Metro 5.1 4.8 11.2 9.9 8.2 8.9 4.4 6.5 

a

Small Metro 4.9 6.2 10.1 13.5 8.3 7.9 4.7 5.8 Nonmetro 4.9 6.3 11.4 12.3 7.4 9.4 4.1 4.0 

REGION

Northeast 4.4 4.3 7.2 12.3 6.7 8.0 2.6 7.4 

a b 

North Central 4.7 6.9 12.8 13.7 10.5 11.4 4.7 5.2 South 5.3 6.1 11.9 12.1 6.2 7.7 5.7 4.8 West 5.1 4.7 9.4 9.3 9.3 7.9 3.8 6.0 

a

ADULT

EDUCATION2

<High School N/A N/A 11.8 14.8 7.1 7.5 3.5 4.5 High School Grad N/A N/A 10.7 11.8 6.8 7.6 5.1 4.2 Some College N/A N/A 10.7 11.5 9.4 8.2 3.1 7.0 

a 

College Graduate N/A N/A 10.0 7.8 8.8 10.7 5.4 7.3 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time N/A N/A 13.0 12.8 9.6 10.0 6.2 8.1 Part-time N/A N/A 10.4 11.0 7.0 7.6 3.9 3.3 Unemployed N/A N/A 8.2 11.5 5.6 6.0 2.1 14.3 

b 

Other N/A N/A 7.4 10.7 2.7 3.2 2.5 2.4 

3 a

*Low precision; no estimate reported.N/A: Not applicable.NOTE: Estimates in this table are based on reports of cigar use collected on a "non-core" section of the NHSDA questionnaire. Information about past year (but not pas

collected.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons aged > 

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
90

90714 (26B) Table 27. Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Any Illicit Drug, by Detailed Age Categories: 1

TIME PERIOD

Lifetime Past Year P

Age Group 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 

Total 35.6 35.8 11.2 10.6 6.4 

12-17 Years Old 23.7 21.3 18.8 16.4 11.4 

a aa

12-13 9.1 8.3 6.0 5.3 3.8 14-15 24.1 21.8 19.3 17.6 11.2 16-17 37.8 34.7 30.7 26.8 19.2 

a

18-25 Years Old 45.4 48.1 25.3 27.4 14.7 

18-20 43.3 47.7 29.8 33.3 17.3 21-25 46.7 48.3 22.3 23.3 12.9 

26-34 Years Old 50.8 50.6 14.3 12.7 7.4 

26-29 47.7 48.2 16.2 12.9 7.6 30-34 53.1 52.5 12.9 12.5 7.2 

35 Years and Older 31.5 31.8 6.1 5.5 3.6 

35-39 58.6 54.4 14.2 11.9 8.6 40-44 51.3 55.5 10.4 10.0 4.9 45-49 45.0 46.1 7.5 8.2 5.3 >50 13.3 14.0 1.7 1.5 1.0 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

NOTE: Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any pr

used nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuanused any of the other listed drugs are included.

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
91

90714 (28B) Table 28. Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Marijuana, by Detailed Age Categories: 1997 a

TIME PERIOD

Lifetime Past Year P

Age Group 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 

Total 32.9 33.0 9.0 8.6 5.1 

12-17 Years Old 18.9 17.0 15.8 14.1 9.4 

a

12-13 4.4 3.4 4.0 3.0 2.5 14-15 18.6 16.9 15.7 14.6 9.2 16-17 33.3 31.5 27.4 25.3 16.3 

18-25 Years Old 41.5 44.6 22.3 24.1 12.8 

18-20 40.0 44.0 26.9 30.8 15.4 21-25 42.4 45.0 19.3 19.4 11.1 

26-34 Years Old 47.9 47.9 11.2 9.7 6.0 

26-29 44.9 45.8 13.6 10.3 6.3 

a

30-34 50.2 49.6 9.4 9.3 5.7 

35 Years and Older 29.4 29.4 4.4 4.1 2.6 

35-39 55.9 51.2 11.5 9.5 6.9 40-44 50.2 53.8 7.5 6.9 3.7 45-49 42.6 44.4 4.9 5.8 3.4 >50 11.2 11.5 1.0 1.0 0.6 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
92

90714 (29B) Table 29. Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Cocaine, by Detailed Age Categories: 1997 and 

TIME PERIOD

Lifetime Past Year P

Age Group 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 

Total 10.5 10.6 1.9 1.7 0.7 

12-17 Years Old 3.0 2.2 2.2 1.7 1.0 

a

12-13 0.6 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.3 14-15 1.6 1.7 0.9 1.4 0.5 16-17 6.9 4.8 5.2 3.6 2.2 

a

18-25 Years Old 8.9 10.0 3.9 4.7 1.2 

a

18-20 8.2 9.0 4.8 5.4 1.5 21-25 9.4 10.7 3.3 4.2 1.0 

a

26-34 Years Old 18.4 17.1 3.1 2.7 0.9 

26-29 12.1 13.1 2.8 2.9 0.8 30-34 23.2 20.2 3.3 2.6 0.9 

35 Years and Older 9.9 10.4 1.1 0.9 0.5 

35-39 24.5 22.6 3.6 2.7 1.6 40-44 17.4 19.6 1.7 1.2 0.7 45-49 12.7 17.5 0.9 1.1 0.7 >50 2.2 2.0 0.3 0.2 0.0 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
93

90714 (32B)Table 30. Percentages Reporting Past Month Alcohol Use, Past Month "Binge" Alcohol Use, and Past Month Heavy Alcohol 

Categories: 1997 and 1998 

LEVEL OF ALCOHOL USE IN PAST MONTH

Any Alcohol Use “Binge” Alcohol Use Heav

Age Group 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 

Total 51.4 51.7 15.3 15.6 5.4 

12-17 Years Old 20.5 19.1 8.3 7.7 3.1 

12-13 6.7 4.9 1.1 1.4 0.3 14-15 21.1 20.9 7.7 7.6 2.6 16-17 33.4 32.0 16.0 14.8 6.5 

18-25 Years Old 58.4 60.0 28.0 31.7 11.1 

a a

18-20 53.4 53.5 28.3 30.1 12.4 21-25 61.8 64.6 27.8 32.8 10.2 

b a

26-34 Years Old 60.2 60.9 23.1 22.0 7.5 

26-29 60.9 61.1 24.1 24.6 7.8 30-34 59.7 60.7 22.3 19.9 7.2 

35 Years and Older 52.8 53.1 11.7 11.9 4.0 

35-39 64.8 63.5 20.1 20.2 8.4 40-44 57.4 61.9 15.7 17.0 4.9 45-49 53.8 54.8 14.2 15.8 3.5 >50 47.3 46.7 6.9 6.8 2.4 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

NOTE: “Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the sam

each other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy AlcAlcohol Users.

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
94

90714 (31B) Table 31. Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Cigarettes, by Detailed Age Categories: 1997 a

TIME PERIOD

Lifetime Past Year P

Age Group 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 

Total 70.5 69.7 32.7 30.6 29.6 

a a

12-17 Years Old 38.7 35.8 26.4 23.8 19.9 

b a

12-13 19.9 16.8 13.3 11.4 9.7 14-15 39.4 37.2 26.9 24.6 19.5 16-17 56.3 54.5 38.8 36.0 30.3 

18-25 Years Old 67.7 68.8 45.9 47.1 40.6 

18-20 65.0 66.2 47.7 48.3 41.1 21-25 69.6 70.7 44.6 46.3 40.3 

26-34 Years Old 72.8 71.8 37.7 36.6 33.7 

26-29 70.6 69.6 37.5 37.7 33.7 30-34 74.5 73.7 37.8 35.6 33.6 

35 Years and Older 76.0 75.2 29.7 26.7 27.9 

b b

35-39 74.8 74.1 37.2 34.2 34.9 40-44 80.5 77.2 37.2 31.4 34.2 45-49 77.2 78.5 30.6 31.0 29.4 >50 74.8 74.1 24.7 21.8 23.4 

a

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
95

90714 (85B)

Table 32. Percentages Reporting Lifetime and Past Month Use of Any Illicit Drug, by Age Group and Geographic Characte

Based on 1997 and 1998 Samples 

AGE GROUP (Time Period)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Geographic Past Past Past Past 

Characteristic Lifetime Month Lifetime Month Lifetime Month Lifetime Month 

TOTAL 22.5 10.7 46.7 15.4 50.7 7.2 31.6 3.4 GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION North East

New England 22.6 9.1 57.8 17.3 60.7 6.2 36.0 1.6 Mid Atlantic 19.1 11.2 41.7 13.2 50.4 5.7 29.7 3.1 

 North Central

East North Central 24.0 13.2 51.5 18.8 53.8 9.0 31.5 3.3 West North Central 19.9 9.3 47.2 14.3 52.3 7.2 33.2 3.7 

 South

South Atlantic 19.4 8.3 45.0 15.0 47.9 6.8 27.4 3.0 East South Central 26.1 11.9 41.5 12.1 49.0 7.1 31.5 5.0 West South Central 21.0 9.1 43.4 11.7 42.5 5.4 27.5 2.4 

 West

Mountain 26.8 14.1 * 14.3 56.5 7.7 37.5 3.3 Pacific 26.3 11.0 48.9 19.0 51.1 8.6 37.5 5.1 

EXPANDED

POPULATION DENSITY1

Large Metro 21.9 10.9 46.2 14.9 50.4 8.2 34.1 3.5 Small Metro

 Population 250K 26.0 11.7 47.0 17.8 51.9 6.2 33.4 3.6 

 Population <250K 23.0 11.5 53.0 18.3 52.9 7.1 32.9 4.4 Nonmetro Urban 21.0 10.5 47.6 13.2 50.8 6.8 23.9 2.4  Rural 19.5 8.0 39.3 10.3 47.0 5.4 25.5 2.8 

STATE2

California 23.8 9.5 46.2 17.5 46.1 8.4 37.2 4.9 Arizona 33.3 15.6 55.6 19.9 58.7 8.8 37.2 3.6 U.S. Excluding CA&AZ 22.8 10.9 46.7 14.8 51.3 7.0 31.0 3.3 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.NOTE: Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any pr

used nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuanused any of the other listed drugs are included.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

State estimates in this table are based on data from quarters 2-4 of the 1997 NHSDA and all four quarters of the 1998 NHSDA data. 2

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
96

90714 (87B)Table 33. Percentages Reporting Lifetime and Past Month Use of Marijuana, by Age Group and Geographic Characteristic

Based on 1997 and 1998 Samples 

AGE GROUP (Time Period)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Geographic Past Past Past Past 

Characteristic Lifetime Month Lifetime Month Lifetime Month Lifetime Month 

TOTAL 17.9 8.8 43.0 13.3 47.9 5.7 29.4 2.5 GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION North East

New England 17.7 6.8 53.2 14.5 59.0 4.9 33.4 0.9 Mid Atlantic 16.8 9.7 39.3 11.6 48.8 4.1 27.5 2.5 

 North Central

East North Central 19.8 11.4 46.8 16.1 51.1 8.0 30.1 2.3 West North Central 13.8 7.7 44.4 12.6 50.3 6.0 30.4 3.5 

 South

South Atlantic 15.1 7.1 41.3 13.4 45.1 5.5 25.7 2.2 East South Central 18.6 9.4 38.7 9.6 45.9 5.1 27.0 2.8 West South Central 17.3 7.5 40.2 10.5 39.4 4.3 26.0 2.0 

 West

Mountain 20.7 12.3 * 10.4 51.7 5.4 35.7 2.1 Pacific 21.1 8.0 44.9 17.0 47.7 6.5 34.7 3.8 

EXPANDED

POPULATION DENSITY1

Large Metro 17.7 9.0 42.2 13.0 47.5 6.6 31.9 2.5 Small Metro

 Population 250K 20.6 9.4 43.4 15.5 49.1 5.2 31.0 2.2 

 Population <250K 18.7 10.1 49.9 16.3 50.4 5.0 29.9 3.7 Nonmetro Urban 15.2 8.4 43.4 10.9 48.2 5.6 22.1 2.1  Rural 15.2 6.5 36.5 8.0 44.9 3.6 23.8 2.6 

STATE2

California 18.9 7.0 41.7 15.5 42.3 6.2 34.2 3.1 Arizona 27.0 12.3 50.6 16.4 55.7 6.6 34.0 2.0 U.S. Excluding CA&AZ 18.1 9.1 43.1 12.9 48.6 5.6 29.0 2.5 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

State estimates in this table are based on data from quarters 2-4 of the 1997 NHSDA and all four quarters of the 1998 NHSDA data. 2

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
97

90714 (88B)Table 34. Percentages Reporting Lifetime and Past Month Use of Cocaine, by Age Group and Geographic Characteristics: 

on 1997 and 1998 Samples 

AGE GROUP (Time Period)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Geographic Past Past Past Past 

Characteristic Lifetime Month Lifetime Month Lifetime Month Lifetime Month 

TOTAL 2.6 0.9 9.5 1.6 17.8 1.0 10.2 0.5 GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION North East

New England 0.8 * 11.2 * 24.5 * 11.2 0.3 Mid Atlantic 1.9 0.5 7.3 1.0 18.2 1.0 10.0 0.4 

 North Central

East North Central 1.8 0.6 9.5 1.9 18.3 0.8 9.5 0.5 West North Central 1.8 0.6 11.7 1.6 15.8 * 9.2 * 

 South

South Atlantic 2.6 0.8 8.4 1.7 15.9 1.8 7.9 0.7 East South Central 3.7 1.4 7.0 0.5 13.3 0.6 7.1 0.7 West South Central 2.9 1.2 6.7 1.1 13.1 0.6 7.9 0.4 

 West

Mountain 6.3 2.7 12.7 2.0 19.8 1.2 16.3 0.6 Pacific 2.6 0.9 13.1 2.4 21.8 0.9 14.7 0.5 

EXPANDED

POPULATION DENSITY1

Large Metro 2.0 0.8 9.4 1.4 19.0 1.2 11.8 0.6 Small Metro

 Population 250K 3.4 1.2 9.3 1.8 19.0 0.7 10.7 0.4 

 Population <250K 3.0 1.0 11.4 2.1 17.6 1.0 10.8 0.4 Nonmetro Urban 3.5 1.2 9.1 1.2 14.4 0.8 5.8 0.6  Rural 2.0 0.4 8.2 1.4 12.6 1.3 6.8 0.2 

STATE2

California 2.4 0.9 11.9 2.2 18.6 0.8 14.8 0.7 Arizona 6.3 2.2 17.7 3.5 26.8 0.6 14.1 0.6 U.S. Excluding CA&AZ 2.6 0.9 8.9 1.4 17.1 1.0 9.6 0.4 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

State estimates in this table are based on data from quarters 2-4 of the 1997 NHSDA and all four quarters of the 1998 NHSDA data. 2

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
98

90714 (89B)Table 35. Percentages Reporting Lifetime and Past Month Use of Alcohol, by Age Group and Geographic Characteristics: 

on 1997 and 1998 Samples 

AGE GROUP (Time Period)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Geographic Past Past Past Past 

Characteristic Lifetime Month Lifetime Month Lifetime Month Lifetime Month 

TOTAL 38.5 19.8 83.4 59.2 88.5 60.5 86.8 52.9 GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION North East

New England 39.1 21.2 89.3 65.6 93.1 64.0 94.1 59.8 Mid Atlantic 37.2 20.6 81.5 61.0 88.0 60.3 90.0 56.3 

 North Central

East North Central 43.3 22.5 90.2 68.9 92.6 65.3 88.2 54.6 West North Central 41.5 20.9 94.1 73.2 95.4 71.3 92.6 61.6 

 South

South Atlantic 34.4 18.0 79.2 55.2 88.5 60.9 83.5 49.4 East South Central 38.3 19.2 84.1 49.4 87.8 49.6 81.3 40.2 West South Central 38.8 18.7 84.8 57.9 85.1 58.6 82.0 46.1 

 West

Mountain 37.2 20.0 * * 86.6 * 87.4 51.8 Pacific 38.2 18.4 80.1 57.0 84.0 56.1 86.5 56.5 

EXPANDED

POPULATION DENSITY1

Large Metro 37.2 19.5 81.4 58.3 87.5 61.8 88.0 56.8 Small Metro

 Population 250K 41.0 20.8 82.2 57.8 89.0 61.7 88.2 54.0 

 Population <250K 39.1 19.2 88.5 67.2 90.8 62.4 88.1 54.0 Nonmetro Urban 37.9 20.4 85.9 61.7 88.1 58.7 83.8 48.1  Rural 38.2 19.0 84.4 53.6 89.8 52.5 81.6 41.9 

STATE2

California 36.0 16.9 78.0 54.4 81.6 54.5 83.9 53.7 Arizona 46.8 24.0 85.0 62.0 91.3 67.1 91.3 55.2 U.S. Excluding CA&AZ 38.8 20.4 84.1 59.2 89.7 61.5 86.7 52.4 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

State estimates in this table are based on data from quarters 2-4 of the 1997 NHSDA and all four quarters of the 1998 NHSDA data. 2

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
99

90714 (91B)

Table 36. Percentages Reporting Past Month "Binge" Alcohol Use and Past Month Heavy Alcohol Use, by Age Group and G

Characteristics: Annual Averages Based on 1997 and 1998 Samples

AGE GROUP (Level of Use)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Geographic "Binge" Heavy "Binge" Heavy "Binge" Heavy "Binge" Heavy 

Characteristic Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol 

TOTAL 8.0 3.0 29.9 12.5 22.5 7.3 11.8 4.2 GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION North East

New England 5.9 1.4 31.9 11.0 17.8 5.5 6.7 1.7 Mid Atlantic 9.2 4.0 27.0 10.7 22.0 7.6 9.9 3.8 

 North Central

East North Central 9.0 3.7 37.0 17.3 26.8 8.7 12.8 5.3 West North Central 9.8 2.9 44.7 20.8 31.8 7.3 19.0 6.3 

 South

South Atlantic 7.0 2.3 27.5 11.2 22.1 7.2 13.7 4.8 East South Central 8.0 3.1 25.2 9.2 20.0 10.0 6.8 2.7 West South Central 7.1 2.8 27.5 12.0 20.3 6.9 11.6 4.4 

 West

Mountain 8.9 1.9 21.8 8.5 23.0 6.3 12.4 4.2 Pacific 7.2 3.4 28.0 10.9 19.0 6.1 10.5 3.1 

EXPANDED

POPULATION DENSITY1

Large Metro 7.8 3.4 27.1 10.2 22.3 6.9 11.7 4.2 Small Metro

 Population 250K 8.0 2.9 30.6 13.2 22.0 7.6 11.0 4.2 

 Population <250K 7.8 2.0 38.5 17.5 24.3 7.2 13.4 4.2 Nonmetro Urban 7.9 2.9 31.8 13.9 26.3 7.7 12.5 4.6  Rural 8.7 3.1 25.9 11.7 20.4 8.3 11.6 3.8 

STATE2

California 6.0 2.8 25.8 10.3 17.2 6.5 10.1 3.2 Arizona 10.2 4.3 33.0 15.2 26.6 11.0 12.2 5.0 U.S. Excluding CA&AZ 8.5 3.1 29.7 12.5 23.2 7.4 12.2 4.6 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.NOTE: “Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the sam

each other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy AlcAlcohol Users.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

State estimates in this table are based on data from quarters 2-4 of the 1997 NHSDA and all four quarters of the 1998 NHSDA data. 2

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
100

90714 (90B)Table 37. Percentages Reporting Lifetime and Past Month Use of Cigarettes, by Age Group and Geographic Characteristics

on 1997 and 1998 Samples 

AGE GROUP (Time Period)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Geographic Past Past Past Past 

Characteristic Lifetime Month Lifetime Month Lifetime Month Lifetime Month 

TOTAL 37.2 19.1 68.3 41.1 72.3 33.1 75.6 26.5 GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION North East

New England 33.0 12.6 70.6 40.9 72.9 29.2 75.8 24.1 Mid Atlantic 35.2 18.8 61.8 36.2 73.5 33.4 75.0 25.1 

 North Central

East North Central 41.8 23.0 72.6 47.4 75.3 38.3 73.8 28.0 West North Central 41.4 20.0 79.7 51.1 78.7 37.6 77.7 28.2 

 South

South Atlantic 34.9 18.4 67.4 43.4 71.7 33.9 76.7 28.5 East South Central 42.7 25.2 68.6 46.0 73.7 39.4 77.4 29.7 West South Central 37.6 17.1 71.9 40.1 69.3 29.2 73.4 25.1 

 West

Mountain 36.7 21.0 * 34.2 68.2 29.2 77.7 28.0 Pacific 33.6 15.7 64.0 32.3 69.3 27.7 75.3 23.0 

EXPANDED

POPULATION DENSITY1

Large Metro 33.6 16.5 65.0 36.7 71.6 32.3 75.2 25.0 Small Metro

 Population 250K 38.3 20.7 66.5 39.9 70.4 30.0 75.7 25.2 

 Population <250K 37.9 18.8 74.4 46.2 74.7 35.5 78.4 29.6 Nonmetro Urban 40.0 21.3 71.3 46.4 72.3 35.1 74.5 30.1  Rural 43.5 22.5 74.1 49.0 77.1 38.8 74.7 27.7 

STATE2

California 29.3 13.7 61.4 30.5 64.1 24.4 70.8 21.5 Arizona 43.7 21.7 72.1 40.3 74.4 33.5 79.5 27.7 U.S. Excluding CA&AZ 38.4 19.9 69.3 42.4 73.3 34.1 75.9 26.9 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Population density is based on 1990 MSA classifications and their 1990 Census of Population counts. 1

State estimates in this table are based on data from quarters 2-4 of the 1997 NHSDA and all four quarters of the 1998 NHSDA data. 2

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
101

90714 (73B)Table 38. Percentages of Past Month Users of Cigarettes or Alcohol in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older Reporting Pas

Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco, by Levels of Past Month Cigarette and Alcohol Use: 1997 and 1998

USE OF CIGARETTES OR ALCOHOL IN PAST MONTH

Cigarette Use In Past Month Level of Alcohol Use In Past Mon

Any Use No Use Heavy Use Not Heavy Use “Binge” Us

3

“Binge” Use But Use But No

3 

Drug 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 19

Any Illicit Drug 15.2 16.1 2.7 2.5 29.7 29.5 17.7 17.8 5.1 

1 

Marijuana and Hashish 13.0 13.6 1.8 1.8 26.2 25.6 15.8 15.0 4.1 Cocaine 1.9 2.5 0.2 0.1 4.2 6.0 1.9 2.5 0.5 

Crack 0.8 0.6 0.1 0.0 1.5 1.2 0.6 0.5 0.2 

Inhalants 0.9 0.7 0.2 0.2 2.1 1.8 1.1 0.9 0.2 Hallucinogens 2.1 2.0 0.2 0.2 5.3 5.5 1.7 1.6 0.4 

PCP 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.6 * 0.1 * LSD 0.6 0.9 0.1 0.1 2.0 2.5 0.6 0.6 0.1 

Heroin 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.1 Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic 2.5 2.7 0.7 0.5 4.8 6.0 2.8 2.4 1.0 

2

Stimulants 0.8 0.7 0.1 0.1 1.5 1.6 0.7 0.6 0.3 Sedatives 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.0 Tranquilizers 1.0 0.7 0.1 0.1 2.2 2.2 1.2 0.6 0.3 Analgesics 1.2 1.8 0.5 0.4 2.4 4.1 1.5 1.7 0.6 

Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana 5.9 6.3 1.1 1.0 12.3 13.9 6.0 6.2 1.8 

1 

Alcohol 65.5 68.2 45.4 45.3 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N

“Binge” Alcohol Use 28.8 32.0 9.6 9.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N

3 a

Heavy Alcohol Use 12.1 14.0 2.6 2.9 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N

3

Cigarettes N/A N/A N/A N/A 66.1 64.7 50.1 50.1 30.3 2

a 

Smokeless Tobacco 4.3 5.3 2.8 2.2 9.0 10.6 8.8 6.7 2.1 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.N/A: Not applicable.

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescrip

1

nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish usother listed drugs are included.Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time 

3

other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office Of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
102

90714 (74B)Table 39. Percentages of Past Month Users of Cigarettes or Alcohol in the U.S. Population Aged 12 to 17 Reporting Past Mon

Alcohol, and Tobacco, by Levels of Past Month Cigarette and Alcohol Use: 1997 and 1998

USE OF CIGARETTES OR ALCOHOL IN PAST MONTH

Cigarette Use In Past Month Level of Alcohol Use In Past Mon

Any Use No Use Heavy Use Not Heavy Use “Binge” Us

3

“Binge” Use But Use But No

3 

Drug 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 19

Any Illicit Drug 42.8 39.1 3.6 3.4 73.6 68.5 60.2 52.1 30.5 2

1

Marijuana and Hashish 37.4 34.3 2.4 2.4 65.7 65.1 55.8 47.1 26.1 2Cocaine 4.5 3.8 0.1 0.1 9.1 11.5 8.3 4.8 2.2 

Crack 2.1 1.2 0.0 0.0 4.2 * 2.9 1.2 1.4 

a

Inhalants 6.9 3.5 0.8 0.6 8.1 6.5 11.6 7.0 4.3 

b a 

Hallucinogens 8.3 8.0 0.2 0.4 19.7 24.1 10.8 10.8 3.7 

PCP 0.6 0.4 0.0 0.0 1.5 * * 1.3 * LSD 3.4 4.0 0.1 0.1 10.1 * 3.6 6.3 1.0 

Heroin 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.0 * * 2.7 * 0.2 Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic 7.4 6.3 0.8 0.7 15.6 * 10.8 6.9 4.5 

2

Stimulants 2.2 2.4 0.2 0.2 5.1 3.2 5.4 3.2 0.6 Sedatives 0.2 0.8 0.1 0.1 * 0.9 * * 0.3 Tranquilizers 2.2 1.2 0.1 0.1 6.4 * 2.9 2.5 1.7 Analgesics 4.5 4.6 0.6 0.6 10.0 * 5.3 5.2 3.0 

Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana 19.8 14.9 1.6 1.5 36.0 30.6 28.2 19.1 11.7 

1 a

Alcohol 59.8 55.8 10.7 10.9 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N

“Binge” Alcohol Use 33.0 30.9 2.4 2.7 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N

3

Heavy Alcohol Use 13.7 12.7 0.6 0.8 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N

3

Cigarettes N/A N/A N/A N/A 84.7 76.7 72.1 67.4 46.6 4Smokeless Tobacco 6.1 3.7 0.9 0.7 12.5 8.4 7.3 3.8 2.9 

a

*Low precision; no estimate reported.N/A: Not applicable.

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescrip

1

nonmedically. Any Illicit Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish usother listed drugs are included.Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time 

3

other. Heavy Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office Of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
103

90714 (78A)

Table 40A. Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Lifetime Users of Specific Hallucinogens, Inhalants, Methamphetamine, N

Smoking or Sniffing/Snorting It in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older, By Age Group: 1997 and 1998

Drug or Method of

Administration 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Hallucinogens 1,472 1,217 4,150 4,858 5,320 4,556 9,714 10,976 

a

PCP 314 273 668 829 1,122 1,378 4,376 5,161 LSD 1,174 962 3,655 3,925 4,175 3,684 7,755 8,652 Peyote 106 101 282 412 386 498 2,346 3,394 

a 

Mescaline 82 47 434 599 1,127 856 3,909 5,433 

a

Psilocybin (Mushrooms) 595 581 2,182 3,036 2,798 2,441 4,625 6,263 

b a 

"Ecstasy" (MDMA) 299 369 1,271 1,409 1,088 893 680 687 

Inhalants 1,630 1,387 2,809 3,023 2,925 3,151 4,972 5,028 

Amyl Nitrite, "Poppers," Locker Room Odorizers,or "Rush" 182 69 410 479 1,594 1,511 2,599 3,114 

b

Correction Fluid,Degreaser, or Cleaning Fluid 382 371 309 315 144 257 72 110 Gasoline or Lighter Fluid 607 455 509 601 357 219 942 527 Glue, Shoe Polish, orToluene 617 503 506 561 353 409 882 837 Halothane, Ether, orOther Anesthetics 101 50 102 123 110 78 113 126 Lacquer Thinner or Other Paint Solvents 298 215 268 343 127 201 311 187 Lighter Gases (Butane, Propane) 281 183 271 260 39 61 92 174 Nitrous Oxide or"Whippets" 514 348 1,815 2,205 1,288 1,511 1,383 2,061 

a 

Spray Paints 497 311 212 283 87 119 346 225 

b

Other Aerosol Sprays 434 258 355 329 74 139 292 394 

a

Methamphetamine 282 126 636 723 955 883 3,432 2,919 

b

Needle Use 92 75 213 300 431 392 1,558 2,037 

1,2

Heroin 107 80 276 303 359 315 1,276 1,673 

Smoke Heroin 83 60 176 193 160 150 585 1,013 

2

Sniff or Snort Heroin 48 49 139 182 231 168 798 1,330 

2 a

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Refers to lifetime use of a needle to inject a drug that was not prescribed, or that was taken only for the experience or feeling it caused. 1

These drug estimates are generated from data collected on a "non-core" section of the NHSDA questionnaire. Therefore, these estimates may be somewhat inconsisten

2

 data collected from the "core" answer sheets because NHSDA data are not edited for consistency across the "core" and "non-core" sections of the interview.

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
104

90714 (78B)

Table 40B. Percentages Reporting Lifetime Use of Specific Hallucinogens, Inhalants, Methamphetamine, Needles, and Hero

Sniffing/Snorting It in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older, by Age Group: 1997 and 1998

Drug or Method of

Administration 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26-34 35 and Older 

Hallucinogens 6.5 5.3 15.0 17.4 15.1 13.2 7.4 8.2 

a

PCP 1.4 1.2 2.4 3.0 3.2 4.0 3.3 3.9 LSD 5.2 4.2 13.2 14.0 11.8 10.6 5.9 6.5 Peyote 0.5 0.4 1.0 1.5 1.1 1.4 1.8 2.5 

a 

Mescaline 0.4 0.2 1.6 2.1 3.2 2.5 3.0 4.1 

a

Psilocybin (Mushrooms) 2.6 2.6 7.9 10.9 7.9 7.1 3.5 4.7 

b a 

"Ecstasy" (MDMA) 1.3 1.6 4.6 5.0 3.1 2.6 0.5 0.5 

Inhalants 7.2 6.1 10.1 10.8 8.3 9.1 3.8 3.8 

Amyl Nitrite, "Poppers," Locker Room Odorizers,or "Rush" 0.8 0.3 1.5 1.7 4.5 4.4 2.0 2.3 

b

Correction Fluid,Degreaser, or Cleaning Fluid 1.7 1.6 1.1 1.1 0.4 0.7 0.1 0.1 Gasoline or Lighter Fluid 2.7 2.0 1.8 2.2 1.0 0.6 0.7 0.4 Glue, Shoe Polish, orToluene 2.7 2.2 1.8 2.0 1.0 1.2 0.7 0.6 Halothane, Ether, orOther Anesthetics 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 Lacquer Thinner or Other Paint Solvents 1.3 0.9 1.0 1.2 0.4 0.6 0.2 0.1 Lighter Gases (Butane, Propane) 1.2 0.8 1.0 0.9 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 Nitrous Oxide or"Whippets" 2.3 1.5 6.6 7.9 3.7 4.4 1.1 1.5 

a

 Spray Paints 2.2 1.4 0.8 1.0 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 

b

Other Aerosol Sprays 1.9 1.1 1.3 1.2 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.3 

a

Methamphetamine 1.2 0.6 2.3 2.6 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.2 

b

Needle Use 0.4 0.3 0.8 1.1 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.5 

1,2

Heroin 0.5 0.4 1.0 1.1 1.0 0.9 1.0 1.3 

Smoke Heroin 0.4 0.3 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.8 

2

Sniff or Snort Heroin 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.7 0.7 0.5 0.6 1.0 

2

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Refers to lifetime use of a needle to inject a drug that was not prescribed, or that was taken only for the experience or feeling it caused. 1

These drug estimates are generated from data collected on a "non-core" section of the NHSDA questionnaire. Therefore, these estimates may be somewhat inconsisten

2

 data collected from the "core" answer sheets because NHSDA data are not edited for consistency across the "core" and "non-core" sections of the interview.

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between 1997 and 1998 is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
105

90714 (204A)

Table 41. Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used Marijuana During Each Year

1965-1997, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates of First Use (per 1000

Person-Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs

AGE-SPECIFIC RATE OF FIRST USE1

YEAR (1000s) AGE 12-17 18-25 26-34

INITIATES MEAN

 1965 601 18.9 8.7 13.7 4.1

 1966 977 20.0 13.9 23.5 3.7

 1967 1423 19.8 15.6 38.8 7.2

 1968 1621 19.0 20.1 45.2 3.6

 1969 2245 19.2 31.7 54.1 6.1

 1970 2611 19.2 35.1 64.3 9.7

 1971 2710 18.8 40.8 65.9 11.3

 1972 2861 18.6 48.4 64.1 11.9

 1973 2897 18.3 60.2 57.7 7.9

 1974 2966 18.5 57.6 61.7 9.4

 1975 3128 18.5 67.8 57.8 11.2

 1976 2786 18.7 59.5 52.4 10.3

 1977 2889 19.0 66.7 50.2 9.6

 1978 2846 17.8 75.2 49.9 6.8

 1979 2654 18.2 60.6 59.0 5.1

 1980 2499 18.4 59.2 56.0 6.7

 1981 2115 17.9 54.3 43.1 4.4

 1982 1964 18.2 48.2 42.3 7.6

 1983 2143 17.9 56.4 45.1 4.1

 1984 2010 19.2 53.1 38.4 3.6

 1985 1775 17.9 48.8 38.6 1.7

 1986 1845 19.3 48.4 41.3 3.9

 1987 1756 17.9 48.4 40.5 1.9

 1988 1565 17.5 44.9 36.9 2.1

 1989 1371 17.9 37.0 32.8 2.3

 1990 1423 17.7 36.9 36.6 2.4

 1991 1415 17.5 38.4 34.0 1.7

 1992 1644 17.6 44.5 37.0 3.2

 1993 1983 17.0 55.1 45.9 2.7

 19942 2380 16.9 72.8 47.9 2.5

 19953 2409 16.6 74.1 52.6 1.8

 19964 2462 16.6 79.3 52.1 2.4

 19975 2114 17.1 64.4 47.1 1.4

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

**Estimate rounds to zero.

The numerator of each rate equals the number of persons who first used the drug in the year (times 1000). The denominator of each rate equals 1

the number of persons who were exposed to risk of first use during the year, weighted by their estimated exposure time measured in years. For

example, for the age group 12-17 in 1990, the denominator is the sum of three components: 

(1) those persons 12-17 years old in 1990 who first used the drug in 1989 or earlier, times a weight of zero. The weight is zero since they had

zero exposure to the risk of first use in 1990. 

(2) those who first used the drug in 1990 times a weight of .5. The weight of .5 assumes that these people, on average, first used the drug at

midyear and consequently have a half year of exposure (i.e. the first half of the year.) 

(3) those who never used, or those who first used the drug in 1991 or later, times a weight of one. The weight of one assumes their exposure to

the risk of first use during 1990 was for the whole year. 

Each person is also weighted by his/her sample weight.

Estimated using 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 2

Estimated using 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 3

Estimated using 1997 and 1998 data only. 4

Estimated using 1998 data only. 5

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1994-1998.
106

90714 (205A)

Table 42. Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used Cocaine During Each Year

1965-1997, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates of First Use (per 1000

Person- Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs

AGE-SPECIFIC RATE OF FIRST USE1

YEAR (1000s) AGE 12-17 18-25 26-34

INITIATES MEAN

 1965 * * ** 0.5 0.3

 1966 * 23.6 0.4 0.9 0.8

 1967 33 * 0.6 0.8 **

 1968 82 20.9 0.5 2.0 0.7

 1969 211 19.2 1.3 6.1 0.6

 1970 319 19.5 2.3 8.2 1.3

 1971 343 19.2 4.6 6.7 1.0

 1972 260 19.3 2.9 5.7 0.5

 1973 485 20.1 4.0 11.8 1.3

 1974 667 21.1 3.5 17.6 1.5

 1975 790 21.4 5.4 15.6 6.1

 1976 698 21.3 5.1 14.1 3.8

 1977 915 21.6 4.7 20.9 5.2

 1978 1026 21.1 6.9 21.2 5.1

 1979 1026 21.9 7.7 19.1 5.9

 1980 1301 21.3 7.6 28.2 6.7

 1981 1375 22.3 9.1 26.2 9.1

 1982 1413 21.8 9.2 28.8 9.7

 1983 1169 22.0 8.1 23.6 7.6

 1984 1208 21.9 8.9 23.5 9.9

 1985 1182 22.4 6.4 26.0 9.1

 1986 1156 23.0 7.8 24.6 6.6

 1987 1012 23.1 7.3 21.2 6.1

 1988 767 21.4 6.0 18.1 4.3

 1989 752 22.4 6.0 16.3 4.9

 1990 605 22.4 5.7 12.7 3.7

 1991 469 21.5 4.1 10.9 2.6

 1992 489 21.6 5.9 9.8 2.2

 1993 551 22.3 5.7 11.7 2.9

 19942 542 21.4 7.3 11.2 1.3

 19953 655 19.6 9.4 13.9 2.6

 19964 670 19.0 11.1 14.3 1.8

 19975 730 20.3 10.8 15.9 1.9

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

**Estimate rounds to zero.

The numerator of each rate equals the number of persons who first used the drug in the year (times 1000). The denominator of each rate equals 1

the number of persons who were exposed to risk of first use during the year, weighted by their estimated exposure time measured in years. For

example, for the age group 12-17 in 1990, the denominator is the sum of three components: 

(1) those persons 12-17 years old in 1990 who first used the drug in 1989 or earlier, times a weight of zero. The weight is zero since they had

zero exposure to the risk of first use in 1990. 

(2) those who first used the drug in 1990 times a weight of .5. The weight of .5 assumes that these people, on average, first used the drug at

midyear and consequently have a half year of exposure (i.e. the first half of the year.) 

(3) those who never used, or those who first used the drug in 1991 or later, times a weight of one. The weight of one assumes their exposure to

the risk of first use during 1990 was for the whole year. 

Each person is also weighted by his/her sample weight.

Estimated using 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 2

Estimated using 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 3

Estimated using 1997 and 1998 data only. 4

Estimated using 1998 data only. 5

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1994-1998.
107

90714 (209A)

Table 43. Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used Any Inhalant During Each Year

1965- 1997, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates of First Use (per 1000

Person-Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs

AGE-SPECIFIC RATE OF FIRST USE1

YEAR (1000s) AGE 12-17 18-25 26-34

INITIATES MEAN

 1965 96 14.9 1.8 1.6 **

 1966 88 18.3 2.8 0.1 **

 1967 151 15.9 4.6 1.2 0.4

 1968 162 16.4 2.4 2.6 0.6

 1969 136 16.3 3.5 1.8 0.1

 1970 228 17.3 5.1 2.3 **

 1971 264 16.3 6.3 3.3 **

 1972 252 18.6 4.6 2.3 2.3

 1973 238 17.0 4.3 3.6 0.2

 1974 348 18.8 6.1 4.5 0.2

 1975 332 17.4 6.3 4.8 0.5

 1976 428 18.8 7.8 5.2 1.1

 1977 413 18.7 7.8 4.2 1.5

 1978 553 18.4 8.9 8.2 1.4

 1979 424 18.6 8.3 4.9 1.9

 1980 506 17.4 10.1 6.1 0.7

 1981 463 20.0 7.2 5.6 2.3

 1982 401 18.3 7.7 5.4 0.8

 1983 429 18.9 7.5 5.3 1.2

 1984 374 17.6 9.0 3.7 1.4

 1985 393 16.6 9.1 5.4 0.2

 1986 354 16.8 9.4 4.1 0.5

 1987 386 17.6 8.9 5.0 0.4

 1988 430 18.8 10.0 5.3 1.2

 1989 332 17.2 8.4 3.7 0.8

 1990 364 16.6 9.4 4.4 0.7

 1991 389 15.9 10.7 4.2 0.4

 1992 441 16.7 11.5 6.2 0.3

 1993 581 16.9 15.0 8.1 0.7

 19942 606 16.2 17.0 7.5 0.3

 19953 623 15.8 18.8 7.3 0.2

 19964 710 16.5 18.1 10.7 0.7

 19975 708 16.7 18.8 9.2 0.9

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

**Estimate rounds to zero.

The numerator of each rate equals the number of persons who first used the drug in the year (times 1000). The denominator of each rate equals 1

the number of persons who were exposed to risk of first use during the year, weighted by their estimated exposure time measured in years. For

example, for the age group 12-17 in 1990, the denominator is the sum of three components: 

(1) those persons 12-17 years old in 1990 who first used the drug in 1989 or earlier, times a weight of zero. The weight is zero since they had

zero exposure to the risk of first use in 1990. 

(2) those who first used the drug in 1990 times a weight of .5. The weight of .5 assumes that these people, on average, first used the drug at

midyear and consequently have a half year of exposure (i.e. the first half of the year.) 

(3) those who never used, or those who first used the drug in 1991 or later, times a weight of one. The weight of one assumes their exposure to

the risk of first use during 1990 was for the whole year. 

Each person is also weighted by his/her sample weight.

Estimated using 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 2

Estimated using 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 3

Estimated using 1997 and 1998 data only. 4

Estimated using 1998 data only. 5

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1994-1998.
108

90714 (208A)

Table 44. Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used Any Hallucinogen During Each

Year 1965-1997, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates of First Use (per

1000 Person-Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs

AGE-SPECIFIC RATE OF FIRST USE1

YEAR (1000s) AGE 12-17 18-25 26-34

INITIATES MEAN

 1965 87 18.8 0.6 3.2 **

 1966 166 19.8 1.0 5.6 0.2

 1967 189 17.3 3.3 3.7 0.6

 1968 447 19.1 5.1 11.1 1.4

 1969 578 17.8 9.9 11.7 0.5

 1970 745 18.5 9.5 17.5 1.7

 1971 863 18.5 14.6 16.5 2.2

 1972 670 18.5 9.7 13.3 2.3

 1973 559 18.1 9.9 10.2 0.9

 1974 568 18.4 10.2 9.8 1.1

 1975 803 19.1 10.7 16.7 1.6

 1976 765 18.0 11.4 15.1 0.5

 1977 659 19.5 8.4 11.6 3.2

 1978 734 20.0 10.7 12.4 1.8

 1979 697 18.9 8.8 14.1 2.0

 1980 690 19.0 9.8 13.1 2.1

 1981 625 18.9 10.6 10.3 1.3

 1982 672 21.4 7.1 13.0 2.1

 1983 636 19.2 9.0 13.1 0.9

 1984 456 18.8 8.4 7.5 1.4

 1985 557 19.3 8.4 11.0 1.4

 1986 613 19.1 10.3 12.0 1.4

 1987 548 19.4 8.8 10.9 1.3

 1988 668 20.3 10.0 13.6 1.9

 1989 595 18.6 10.4 12.9 1.0

 1990 620 18.4 11.4 13.5 0.9

 1991 598 18.6 11.1 13.1 0.7

 1992 578 17.8 12.6 11.4 0.6

 1993 729 18.2 13.0 15.8 1.4

 19942 826 17.9 18.0 16.1 1.0

 19953 1139 17.5 25.0 22.9 0.8

 19964 1055 17.4 23.9 20.8 0.8

 19975 1094 17.4 23.9 23.0 0.9

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

**Estimate rounds to zero.

The numerator of each rate equals the number of persons who first used the drug in the year (times 1000). The denominator of each rate equals 1

the number of persons who were exposed to risk of first use during the year, weighted by their estimated exposure time measured in years. For

example, for the age group 12-17 in 1990, the denominator is the sum of three components: 

(1) those persons 12-17 years old in 1990 who first used the drug in 1989 or earlier, times a weight of zero. The weight is zero since they had

zero exposure to the risk of first use in 1990. 

(2) those who first used the drug in 1990 times a weight of .5. The weight of .5 assumes that these people, on average, first used the drug at

midyear and consequently have a half year of exposure (i.e. the first half of the year.) 

(3) those who never used, or those who first used the drug in 1991 or later, times a weight of one. The weight of one assumes their exposure to

the risk of first use during 1990 was for the whole year. 

Each person is also weighted by his/her sample weight.

Estimated using 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 2

Estimated using 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 3

Estimated using 1997 and 1998 data only. 4

Estimated using 1998 data only. 5

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1994-1998.
109

90714 (207A)

Table 45. Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used Heroin During Each Year

1965-1997, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates of First Use (per 1000

Person- Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs

AGE-SPECIFIC RATE OF FIRST USE1

YEAR (1000s) AGE 12-17 18-25 26-34

INITIATES MEAN

 1965 * * ** 0.5 **

 1966 * * ** 0.4 **

 1967 * * 0.2 0.4 0.7

 1968 27 19.4 0.3 0.5 0.3

 1969 83 17.4 1.9 1.3 0.1

 1970 97 19.3 0.3 3.0 0.1

 1971 130 17.8 2.1 2.7 **

 1972 140 17.7 1.4 3.3 0.1

 1973 70 18.8 1.1 1.3 **

 1974 81 22.8 0.3 1.6 0.9

 1975 76 19.3 0.3 2.1 0.1

 1976 79 19.8 0.9 1.1 0.7

 1977 92 22.0 0.6 1.5 0.9

 1978 69 20.3 0.1 1.7 0.3

 1979 68 20.9 0.7 1.3 0.3

 1980 55 20.8 0.3 0.9 0.3

 1981 71 23.0 0.4 1.0 0.8

 1982 44 21.4 0.1 0.9 0.2

 1983 75 24.6 0.5 1.0 0.4

 1984 86 26.9 0.3 0.7 1.0

 1985 38 23.8 0.1 0.7 0.3

 1986 63 20.9 0.9 1.1 0.2

 1987 52 20.6 0.3 1.1 0.2

 1988 72 27.4 0.2 1.0 0.2

 1989 48 24.0 0.4 0.8 0.3

 1990 66 26.4 0.3 0.7 0.7

 1991 54 24.7 0.3 0.6 0.5

 1992 41 23.0 0.4 0.6 0.1

 1993 62 20.1 0.9 1.0 0.4

 19942 85 21.2 1.2 1.3 0.5

 19953 88 19.7 1.6 1.5 0.3

 19964 149 18.3 2.7 2.6 0.2

 19975 81 17.6 1.1 2.0 **

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

**Estimate rounds to zero.

The numerator of each rate equals the number of persons who first used the drug in the year (times 1000). The denominator of each rate equals 1

the number of persons who were exposed to risk of first use during the year, weighted by their estimated exposure time measured in years. For

example, for the age group 12-17 in 1990, the denominator is the sum of three components: 

(1) those persons 12-17 years old in 1990 who first used the drug in 1989 or earlier, times a weight of zero. The weight is zero since they had

zero exposure to the risk of first use in 1990. 

(2) those who first used the drug in 1990 times a weight of .5. The weight of .5 assumes that these people, on average, first used the drug at

midyear and consequently have a half year of exposure (i.e. the first half of the year.) 

(3) those who never used, or those who first used the drug in 1991 or later, times a weight of one. The weight of one assumes their exposure to

the risk of first use during 1990 was for the whole year. 

Each person is also weighted by his/her sample weight.

Estimated using 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 2

Estimated using 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 3

Estimated using 1997 and 1998 data only. 4

Estimated using 1998 data only. 5

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1994-1998.
110

90714 (203A)

Table 46. Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used Alcohol During Each Year

1965-1996, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates of First Use (per 1000

Person- Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs

AGE-SPECIFIC RATE OF FIRST USE1

YEAR (1000s) AGE 12-17 18-25 26-34

INITIATES MEAN

 1965 3125 17.6 64.4 182.1 22.1

 1966 3644 17.8 66.1 226.6 44.2

 1967 3654 17.6 77.1 215.7 34.6

 1968 3779 17.8 77.3 212.1 41.8

 1969 4043 17.7 84.4 236.3 40.2

 1970 3878 17.3 87.3 223.0 33.4

 1971 3701 17.5 73.6 228.7 43.9

 1972 4401 16.9 104.8 242.1 28.5

 1973 4338 17.0 101.1 246.7 32.8

 1974 4426 17.2 107.1 245.5 29.7

 1975 4045 17.1 92.5 246.2 31.1

 1976 3995 16.9 99.6 222.2 25.1

 1977 4363 17.4 114.5 228.6 37.0

 1978 4459 16.8 124.9 232.2 31.5

 1979 4135 17.4 114.0 230.4 26.2

 1980 4027 17.3 114.6 232.6 23.8

 1981 3728 16.6 112.8 213.7 19.5

 1982 3700 17.2 109.8 206.0 39.0

 1983 3586 16.8 115.8 196.2 18.5

 1984 3526 16.9 111.2 195.1 32.3

 1985 3380 16.6 118.3 183.0 23.3

 1986 3549 17.0 116.2 205.3 35.9

 1987 3298 17.2 110.1 196.3 19.2

 1988 3373 17.1 116.8 182.8 33.3

 1989 3029 16.3 111.0 164.5 20.7

 1990 3342 16.6 116.7 193.1 17.3

 1991 3449 16.7 114.4 215.5 26.1

 1992 3522 16.9 125.0 207.1 22.0

 19932 3675 16.6 136.0 189.9 26.0

 19943 3825 17.3 139.0 187.8 25.3

 19954 4013 16.8 146.5 212.5 19.4

 19965 4199 16.1 158.8 219.0 12.0

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

**Estimate rounds to zero.

The numerator of each rate equals the number of persons who first used the drug in the year (times 1000). The denominator of each rate equals 1

the number of persons who were exposed to risk of first use during the year, weighted by their estimated exposure time measured in years. For

example, for the age group 12-17 in 1990, the denominator is the sum of three components: 

(1) those persons 12-17 years old in 1990 who first used the drug in 1989 or earlier, times a weight of zero. The weight is zero since they had

zero exposure to the risk of first use in 1990. 

(2) those who first used the drug in 1990 times a weight of .5. The weight of .5 assumes that these people, on average, first used the drug at

midyear and consequently have a half year of exposure (i.e. the first half of the year.) 

(3) those who never used, or those who first used the drug in 1991 or later, times a weight of one. The weight of one assumes their exposure to

the risk of first use during 1990 was for the whole year. 

Each person is also weighted by his/her sample weight.

Estimated using 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 2

Estimated using 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 3

Estimated using 1997 and 1998 data only. 4

Estimated using 1998 data only. 5

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1994-1998.
111

90714 (201A)

Table 47. Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who First Used A Cigarette During Each Year

1965-1996, Their Mean Age at First Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates of First Use (per 1000

Person-Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs

AGE-SPECIFIC RATE OF FIRST USE1

YEAR (1000s) AGE 12-17 18-25 26-34

INITIATES MEAN

 1965 3085 16.0 104.7 115.0 23.7

 1966 2859 16.0 92.3 119.0 10.9

 1967 3263 15.8 112.2 122.5 10.6

 1968 3219 15.3 100.2 114.8 19.0

 1969 3336 15.4 112.3 117.2 6.7

 1970 3471 15.6 113.0 106.7 19.9

 1971 3350 15.1 116.1 92.1 9.1

 1972 3719 15.3 125.8 107.0 20.5

 1973 3384 15.3 116.2 82.0 15.4

 1974 3560 15.1 124.3 84.9 9.3

 1975 3600 15.3 121.4 94.7 6.5

 1976 3442 15.3 122.4 81.1 9.3

 1977 3451 15.6 126.7 86.5 13.2

 1978 3114 15.6 113.7 75.8 11.8

 1979 3015 15.7 109.2 86.4 9.9

 1980 2808 15.6 107.0 70.0 6.9

 1981 2750 15.7 105.5 66.3 9.0

 1982 2689 15.5 103.5 61.9 11.3

 1983 2719 15.3 104.6 63.0 7.7

 1984 2690 15.6 100.9 70.3 8.3

 1985 2749 15.6 108.9 65.4 10.0

 1986 2761 15.5 106.2 76.3 5.0

 1987 2548 16.1 97.7 65.4 11.7

 1988 2493 15.4 103.0 62.6 7.3

 1989 2521 16.1 99.4 62.1 8.7

 1990 2575 15.4 99.9 68.8 6.4

 1991 2505 15.9 98.9 63.7 9.7

 1992 2678 15.7 111.0 64.3 8.0

 19932 2845 15.9 118.2 67.9 6.0

 19943 3154 15.9 128.7 80.8 5.6

 19954 3293 15.4 146.2 76.9 5.2

 19965 3108 15.8 133.0 81.5 7.0

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

**Estimate rounds to zero.

The numerator of each rate equals the number of persons who first used the drug in the year (times 1000). The denominator of each rate equals 1

the number of persons who were exposed to risk of first use during the year, weighted by their estimated exposure time measured in years. For

example, for the age group 12-17 in 1990, the denominator is the sum of three components: 

(1) those persons 12-17 years old in 1990 who first used the drug in 1989 or earlier, times a weight of zero. The weight is zero since they had

zero exposure to the risk of first use in 1990. 

(2) those who first used the drug in 1990 times a weight of .5. The weight of .5 assumes that these people, on average, first used the drug at

midyear and consequently have a half year of exposure (i.e. the first half of the year.) 

(3) those who never used, or those who first used the drug in 1991 or later, times a weight of one. The weight of one assumes their exposure to

the risk of first use during 1990 was for the whole year. 

Each person is also weighted by his/her sample weight.

Estimated using 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 2

Estimated using 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 3

Estimated using 1997 and 1998 data only. 4

Estimated using 1998 data only. 5

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1994-1998.
112

90714 (202A)

Table 48. Estimated Number (in Thousands) of Persons Who Began Daily Cigarette Use During Each Year

1965-1997, Their Mean Age at First Daily Use, and Annual Age-Specific Rates of First Daily Use

(per 1000 Person-Years of Exposure), Based on 1994-1998 NHSDAs

AGE-SPECIFIC RATE OF FIRST USE1

YEAR (1000s) AGE 12-17 18-25 26-34

INITIATES MEAN

 1965 1598 17.7 44.1 104.8 6.9

 1966 1698 17.8 43.9 114.5 6.3

 1967 1823 18.5 49.6 103.8 18.2

 1968 2284 18.4 49.8 152.0 8.0

 1969 2022 17.7 60.0 107.2 15.7

 1970 1804 17.4 49.8 96.0 7.0

 1971 2082 17.9 58.1 108.4 13.8

 1972 1938 17.8 57.3 89.2 25.0

 1973 2196 17.9 61.8 105.1 24.8

 1974 2344 18.6 67.2 105.7 19.9

 1975 1806 18.3 50.2 86.0 12.6

 1976 1865 17.9 52.4 84.4 16.3

 1977 2074 18.4 59.6 96.2 13.6

 1978 2032 18.5 57.4 90.7 20.1

 1979 2006 18.8 57.2 92.4 17.1

 1980 1673 18.5 51.9 77.6 9.9

 1981 1646 19.0 50.8 68.6 14.0

 1982 1592 18.7 51.3 68.5 11.5

 1983 1564 18.3 45.2 74.3 12.2

 1984 1581 18.5 53.1 64.8 12.6

 1985 1530 18.7 50.2 65.3 14.0

 1986 1535 18.0 54.3 68.7 8.7

 1987 1453 18.3 50.0 65.7 9.7

 1988 1457 18.6 51.9 63.7 12.9

 1989 1461 18.6 54.2 61.4 8.1

 1990 1473 18.5 55.9 61.0 13.4

 1991 1460 18.1 55.5 59.9 12.7

 1992 1603 18.2 59.0 67.7 10.9

 1993 1550 18.6 57.5 59.7 11.7

 19942 1736 17.7 68.8 66.7 8.7

 19953 1804 18.2 69.2 66.7 10.7

 19964 2106 17.8 74.9 91.6 13.2

 19975 2134 18.4 75.1 83.5 7.8

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

**Estimate rounds to zero.

The numerator of each rate equals the number of persons who first used the drug in the year (times 1000). The denominator of each rate equals 1

the number of persons who were exposed to risk of first use during the year, weighted by their estimated exposure time measured in years. For

example, for the age group 12-17 in 1990, the denominator is the sum of three components: 

(1) those persons 12-17 years old in 1990 who first used the drug in 1989 or earlier, times a weight of zero. The weight is zero since they had

zero exposure to the risk of first use in 1990. 

(2) those who first used the drug in 1990 times a weight of .5. The weight of .5 assumes that these people, on average, first used the drug at

midyear and consequently have a half year of exposure (i.e. the first half of the year.) 

(3) those who never used, or those who first used the drug in 1991 or later, times a weight of one. The weight of one assumes their exposure to

the risk of first use during 1990 was for the whole year. 

Each person is also weighted by his/her sample weight.

Estimated using 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 2

Estimated using 1996, 1997 and 1998 data only. 3

Estimated using 1997 and 1998 data only. 4

Estimated using 1998 data only. 5

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1994-1998.
113

90714 (301B)Table 49. Percentages Reporting About Risk and Availability of Drugs in the U.S. Population Aged 12 and Older: 1985-1998 

Risk/Availability 1985 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 

PERCEPTIONS OF GREAT RISK

Cigarettes

Smoke one or more packs per day 56.8 63.4 63.5 64.1 65.5 66.3 -- 

bbbba

Marijuana

Smoke once a month 39.8 42.9 40.3 42.8 42.5 40.4 -- 

1 

Smoke once or twice a week 59.6 63.4 62.1 62.0 61.3 59.7 -- 

1 a 

Cocaine

Use once a month 70.3 79.9 77.3 78.9 77.5 80.5 -- 

1 a b 

Use once or twice a week 89.7 92.1 91.8 92.0 92.0 92.1 -- 

1 

Alcohol

Four or five drinks nearly every

day 73.0 76.5 70.1 71.3 70.0 72.5 -- 

b bbbb

Five or more drinks once or twice

a week 59.9 63.8 59.0 61.8 60.1 59.6 -- 

bbbbbb

AVAILABILITY

Fairly or very easy to obtain

Marijuana -- -- 62.1 59.1 57.7 60.8 -- 

b a

Cocaine -- -- 43.7 40.2 39.0 42.6 -- 

b b

Crack -- -- -- -- -- 40.7 -- 

b 

Heroin -- -- 28.3 26.5 25.5 31.1 -- 

ab 

Approached by someone selling

drugs past month -- -- -- 9.2 8.7 6.2 -- 

b b 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available.NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. NHSDAs from 

based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to another has little effect on estimated percentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on esome subpopulation groups.

Estimates for 1985 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 1985 through 1993 

1

comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. Because of the methodology used to adjust logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug within the same survey year. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare, and not statistically significant. 

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
114

90714 (302B)Table 50. Percentages Reporting About Risk and Availability of Drugs in the U.S. Population Aged 12 to 17: 1985-1998 

Risk/Availability 1985 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 

PERCEPTIONS OF GREAT RISK

Cigarettes

Smoke one or more packs per day 45.2 48.1 48.3 48.7 51.3 51.7 -- 

bbbb

Marijuana

Smoke once a month 28.9 40.4 38.0 38.7 37.4 32.9 -- 

1 bbba

Smoke once or twice a week 59.7 65.7 64.5 64.3 63.3 58.5 -- 

1 bbbbb 

Cocaine

Use once a month 58.4 72.4 67.3 67.8 67.6 63.3 -- 

1 bbbbb

Use once or twice a week 83.0 86.3 85.4 84.8 84.3 84.0 -- 

1 a

Alcohol

Four or five drinks nearly every

day 65.8 67.9 59.8 61.2 59.8 65.4 -- 

bbb

Five or more drinks once or twice

a week 56.1 59.1 54.9 58.4 54.4 54.3 -- 

bbbbbb

AVAILABILITY

Fairly or very easy to obtain

Marijuana -- -- 53.6 51.0 52.8 57.6 -- 

aba

Cocaine -- -- 35.7 33.4 32.9 35.3 -- 

baab

Crack -- -- -- -- -- 33.4 -- 

b

Heroin -- -- 23.1 22.4 21.3 25.3 -- 

b

Approached by someone selling

drugs past month -- -- -- 13.4 14.4 13.0 -- 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Not available.NOTE: The population distributions for the 1993 through 1998 NHSDAs are post-stratified to population projections of totals based on the 1990 decennial census. NHSDAs from 

based on the 1980 census. The change from one census base to another has little effect on estimated percentages reporting drug use, but may have a significant effect on esome subpopulation groups.

Estimates for 1985 through 1993 may differ from estimates for these survey years that were published in other NHSDA reports. The estimates shown here for 1985 through 1993 

1

comparability with estimates based on the new version of the NHSDA instrument that was fielded in 1994 and subsequent NHSDAs. Because of the methodology used to adjust logical inconsistency may exist between estimates for a given drug within the same survey year. These inconsistencies tend to be small, rare, and not statistically significant. 

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
115

90714 (81A)

Table 51A. Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Past Year Any Illicit Drug Users Reporting Past Year Health Problem

Psychological Problems, Dependency, and Treatment Due to Any Illicit Drug Use, by Demographic CharacterAverages Based on 1997 and 1998 Samples

Demographic Emotional or

Characteristics Health Problems Psychological Problems Dependence 

TOTAL 1,940 3,500 4,128 AGE

12-17 524 874 1,064 18-25 627 1,404 1,595 26-34 259 530 613 35 and Older 531 692 856 

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 1,419 2,590 2,952 

Black, non-Hispanic 254 468 614 

Hispanic 202 350 424 Other, non-Hispanic 65 92 139 

GENDER

Male 1,094 1,908 2,390 Female 846 1,592 1,738 

ADULTEDUCATION2

<High School 365 607 759 High School Grad 457 866 1,134 Some College 411 840 807 College Graduate 184 313 364 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time 694 1,190 1,432 Part-time 218 495 530 Unemployed 218 416 511 Other 286 525 592 

3

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Includes past year users of an illicit drug who reported their last treatment or counseling for alcohol or drug use was within the past 12 months, and it included trea

1

illicit drug. Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons ag

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
116

90714 (81B)

Table 51B. Percentages of Past Year Any Illicit Drug Users Reporting Past Year Health Problems, Emotional and Psycho

Dependency, and Treatment Due to Any Illicit Drug Use, by Demographic Characteristics: Annual Averages 1998 Samples

Demographic Emotional or

Characteristics Health Problems Psychological Problems Dependence 

TOTAL 8.2 14.8 17.5 

AGE

12-17 13.2 22.0 26.8 18-25 8.5 19.1 21.7 26-34 5.5 11.2 13.0 35 and Older 7.0 9.1 11.2 

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 8.1 14.8 16.8 Black, non-Hispanic 8.2 15.2 19.9 Hispanic 9.0 15.6 19.0 Other, non-Hispanic 8.2 11.7 17.5 

GENDER

Male 7.7 13.4 16.7 Female 9.0 17.0 18.5 

ADULTEDUCATION2

<High School 9.6 15.9 19.9 High School Grad 6.9 13.0 17.0 Some College 7.2 14.7 14.2 College Graduate 5.2 8.9 10.4 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time 5.9 10.1 12.2 Part-time 7.8 17.7 19.0 Unemployed 11.7 22.4 27.5 Other 8.8 16.2 18.3 

3

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Includes past year users of an illicit drug who reported their last treatment or counseling for alcohol or drug use was within the past 12 months, and it included trea

1

illicit drug. Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons ag

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
117

90714 (82A)

Table 52A. Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Past Year Marijuana Users Reporting Past Year Health Problems, Em

Psychological Problems, Dependency, and Treatment Due to Marijuana Use, by Demographic CharacteristiBased on 1997 and 1998 Samples

Demographic Emotional or

Characteristics Health Problems Psychological Problems Dependence 

TOTAL 1,227 2,325 3,132 AGE

12-17 395 680 899 18-25 437 997 1,309 26-34 115 337 411 35 and Older 279 311 513 

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 894 1,719 2,262 

Black, non-Hispanic 158 316 464 

Hispanic 123 227 290 Other, non-Hispanic 52 63 117 

GENDER

Male 715 1,290 1,932 Female 512 1,035 1,201 

ADULTEDUCATION2

<High School 214 380 563 High School Grad 306 537 820 Some College 202 536 532 College Graduate 109 193 318 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time 396 760 1,072 Part-time 158 345 402 Unemployed 104 200 337 Other 174 340 423 

3

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Includes past year users of marijuana who reported their last treatment or counseling for alcohol or drug use was within the past 12 months, and it included treatme

1

marijuana. Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons ag

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
118

90714 (82B)

Table 52B. Percentages of Past Year Marijuana Users Reporting Past Year Health Problems, Emotional and Psychologic

Dependency, and Treatment Due to Marijuana Use, by Demographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based Samples

Demographic Emotional or

Characteristics Health Problems Psychological Problems Dependence 

TOTAL 6.4 12.2 16.4 

AGE

12-17 11.7 20.1 26.6 18-25 6.8 15.4 20.3 26-34 3.1 9.2 11.3 35 and Older 5.0 5.6 9.2 

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 6.3 12.1 16.0 Black, non-Hispanic 6.3 12.5 18.4 Hispanic 7.1 13.2 16.9 Other, non-Hispanic 7.8 9.5 17.5 

GENDER

Male 6.1 11.0 16.5 Female 7.0 14.1 16.3 

ADULTEDUCATION2

<High School 7.5 13.3 19.7 High School Grad 5.6 9.8 14.9 Some College 4.4 11.8 11.7 College Graduate 3.9 6.9 11.4 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time 4.2 8.1 11.4 Part-time 6.9 15.0 17.6 Unemployed 6.4 12.4 20.8 Other 7.3 14.2 17.7 

3

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Includes past year users of marijuana who reported their last treatment or counseling for alcohol or drug use was within the past 12 months, and it included treatme

1

marijuana. Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons ag

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
119

90714 (83A)

Table 53A. Estimated Numbers (in Thousands) of Past Year Alcohol Users Reporting Past Year Health Problems, Emoti

Dependency, and Treatment Due to Alcohol Use, by Demographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based oSamples

Demographic Emotional or

Characteristics Health Problems Psychological Problems Dependence 

TOTAL 3,246 5,825 9,724 AGE

12-17 304 688 915 18-25 761 1,569 2,839 26-34 545 1,098 1,990 35 and Older 1,637 2,470 3,979 

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 2,167 4,217 7,168 

Black, non-Hispanic 537 687 1,178 

Hispanic 405 666 987 Other, non-Hispanic 137 254 391 

GENDER

Male 2,221 3,611 6,559 Female 1,026 2,214 3,165 

ADULTEDUCATION2

<High School 766 1,198 1,624 High School Grad 1,186 1,819 3,404 Some College 717 1,246 2,283 College Graduate 274 873 1,498 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time 1,563 3,058 5,322 Part-time 251 607 1,047 Unemployed 373 531 787 Other 756 941 1,653 

3

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Includes past year users of alcohol who reported their last treatment or counseling for alcohol or drug use was within the past 12 months, and it included treatment 

1

Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons ag

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
120

90714 (83B)

Table 53B. Percentages of Past Year Alcohol Users Reporting Past Year Health Problems, Emotional Problems, Depende

Due to Alcohol Use, by Demographic Characteristics: Annual Averages Based on 1997 and 1998 Samples

Demographic Emotional or

Characteristics Health Problems Psychological Problems Dependence 

TOTAL 2.3 4.2 7.0 

AGE

12-17 4.1 9.2 12.3 18-25 3.7 7.6 13.7 26-34 2.1 4.2 7.6 35 and Older 1.9 2.9 4.7 

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, non-Hispanic 2.0 3.8 6.5 Black, non-Hispanic 4.2 5.4 9.3 Hispanic 3.2 5.3 7.9 Other, non-Hispanic 3.1 5.8 9.0 

GENDER

Male 3.1 5.0 9.2 Female 1.5 3.3 4.7 

ADULTEDUCATION2

<High School 4.3 6.7 9.0 High School Grad 2.7 4.2 7.9 Some College 2.1 3.6 6.6 College Graduate 0.8 2.4 4.2 

CURRENT

EMPLOYMENT2

Full-time 2.0 3.9 6.8 Part-time 1.6 3.9 6.8 Unemployed 6.5 9.3 13.8 Other 2.3 2.9 5.0 

3

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Includes past year users of alcohol who reported their last treatment or counseling for alcohol or drug use was within the past 12 months, and it included treatment 

1

Data on adult education and current employment not shown for persons aged 12-17. Estimates for both adult education and current employment are for persons ag

2

Retired, disabled, homemaker, student, or "other." 3

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997 and 1998.
121

90714 (403B)Table 54. Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the Population Aged 

Arizona, and the Remainder of the United States: 1998 

TIME PERIOD (Population)

Lifetime Past Year 

Drug California Arizona CA & AZ U.S. California Arizona CA & AZ U.S. California 

U.S. U.S. 

Excluding Total Excluding Total 

Any Illicit Drug 38.3 42.2 35.3 35.8 12.4 13.3 10.3 10.6 7.2 

1 ab a a

Marijuana and Hashish 35.8 39.5 32.5 33.0 10.0 10.6 8.3 8.6 5.5 

a b a

Cocaine 13.9 16.1 10.0 10.6 2.4 3.1 1.6 1.7 1.0 

b b b 

Crack 2.7 2.9 1.9 2.0 0.7 1.1 0.4 0.4 0.3 

a b

Inhalants 7.1 8.1 5.5 5.8 1.2 1.4 0.9 0.9 0.5 

b a 

Hallucinogens 11.8 14.1 9.6 9.9 1.9 2.7 1.6 1.6 0.4 

a b b a

PCP 4.0 4.3 3.4 3.5 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 * LSD 8.7 11.7 7.7 7.9 0.5 1.4 0.9 0.8 0.1 

b aa b

Heroin 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic 10.7 12.0 9.0 9.2 3.5 3.7 2.5 2.6 1.6 

2 b a

Stimulants 6.6 6.3 4.1 4.4 1.2 1.3 0.6 0.7 0.6 

ba a a 

Sedatives 2.7 2.5 2.0 2.1 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 Tranquilizers 3.3 5.0 3.5 3.5 0.7 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.3 Analgesics 5.6 7.6 5.2 5.3 2.3 2.5 1.8 1.9 1.0 

b

Any Illicit Drug  Other than Marijuana 21.4 25.7 18.5 18.9 6.8 7.4 4.6 4.9 3.2 

1 ab b b 

Alcohol 78.4 85.0 81.6 81.3 63.0 65.9 64.1 64.0 50.5 

b a

“Binge” Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 13.5 

3 a

Heavy Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 4.5 

3 a

Cigarettes 64.7 73.1 70.3 69.7 25.4 32.9 31.2 30.6 21.7 

b b b

Smokeless Tobacco 12.2 18.8 17.9 17.2 2.0 3.8 4.7 4.4 1.2 

b b b

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

-- Not available.

Difference between estimate and U.S. excluding CA & AZ is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and U.S. excluding CA & AZ is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescription-type psycho

1

Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish users who also have used any of the other liNonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time or within a coup

3

defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users are also “Binge” Alcohol Users.

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1998.
122

90714 (404B)Table 55. Percentages Reporting Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in the Population Aged 

and the Remainder of the United States: 1998 

TIME PERIOD (Population)

Lifetime Past Year 

Drug California Arizona CA & AZ U.S. California Arizona CA & AZ U.S. California 

U.S. U.S. 

Excluding Total Excluding Total 

Any Illicit Drug 23.0 31.1 20.9 21.3 18.3 23.9 16.0 16.4 9.9 

1 b b 

Marijuana and Hashish 18.4 25.2 16.6 17.0 14.8 19.9 13.8 14.1 7.4 

b b 

Cocaine 2.5 6.7 2.0 2.2 1.9 4.7 1.6 1.7 1.1 

b b 

Crack 1.2 2.7 0.7 0.7 0.5 1.9 0.4 0.5 0.2 

b b 

Inhalants 6.5 10.8 6.0 6.1 3.4 5.1 2.8 2.9 1.4 

b b 

Hallucinogens 5.4 10.0 5.2 5.3 3.7 7.2 3.8 3.8 1.2 

b b

PCP 1.6 2.6 1.1 1.2 0.7 1.3 0.6 0.6 0.0 

a

LSD 3.9 7.1 4.2 4.2 1.8 4.6 2.7 2.6 0.3 

b a

Heroin 0.4 1.0 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.2 

a

Nonmedical Use of Any Psychotherapeutic 5.8 8.7 5.5 5.6 3.9 5.8 3.6 3.7 2.2 

2 b b

Stimulants 2.3 3.6 1.6 1.7 1.5 2.0 1.1 1.2 0.9 

b a 

Sedatives 1.0 1.4 1.0 1.0 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.4 Tranquilizers 1.3 2.1 1.8 1.7 0.8 1.1 1.1 1.1 0.3 Analgesics 4.7 6.5 4.6 4.6 3.3 4.3 3.0 3.1 1.7 

a

Any Illicit Drug  Other than Marijuana 13.2 21.6 11.6 12.0 9.0 14.7 7.1 7.5 4.5 

1 b b 

Alcohol 34.2 47.6 37.6 37.3 29.0 40.6 32.0 31.8 16.5 

b b 

“Binge” Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5.8 

3 a

Heavy Alcohol Use -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2.8 

3

Cigarettes 28.4 43.7 36.7 35.8 18.8 27.5 24.4 23.8 13.6 

bb b b

Smokeless Tobacco 3.3 9.0 9.6 8.9 0.9 3.4 4.1 3.7 0.7 

b b

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

-- Not available.

Difference between estimate and U.S. excluding CA & AZ is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and U.S. excluding CA & AZ is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Any Illicit Drug indicates use at least once of marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescription-type psycho

1

Drug Other than Marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana/hashish use; marijuana/hashish users who also have used any of the other liNonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time or within a coup

3

defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days; all Heavy Alcohol Users are also “Binge” Alcohol Users.

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1998.
123

90714 (411B)Table 56. Percentages Reporting About Risk and Availability of Drugs in the Population Aged 12 and Older for Califor

the Remainder of the United States: 1998 

POPULATION

Risk/Availability California Arizona CA & AZ 

U.S.

Excluding 

Perceptions of Great Risk

Cigarettes

Smoke one or more packs per day 73.3 67.3 67.2 

b

Marijuana

Smoke once a month 35.7 38.1 42.7 

b a

Smoke once or twice a week 51.5 54.2 58.8 

b a

Cocaine

Use once a month 73.0 71.4 76.9 

b b

Use once or twice a week 90.0 89.2 92.1 

a b

Alcohol

Four or five drinks nearly every day 77.6 73.5 75.7 Five or more drinks once or twice a week 55.5 52.6 54.0 

Availability

Fairly or very easy to obtain

Marijuana 56.3 61.1 58.4 Cocaine 35.5 43.9 38.6 

a a

Crack 33.4 38.6 36.0 Heroin 25.8 31.0 28.6 

a

Approached by someone selling drugs in past month 6.9 7.8 5.9 

a b

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Difference between estimate and U.S. excluding CA & AZ is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and U.S. excluding CA & AZ is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1998. 
124

90714 (412B)Table 57. Percentages Reporting About Risk and Availability of Drugs for California, Arizona, and the Remainder of the United States, 

AGE GROUP (Population)

12-17 18-25 

Risk/Availability California Arizona CA & AZ U.S. California Arizona CA & AZ U.S. Cali

U.S. U.S. 

Excluding Total Excluding Total 

Perceptions of Great Risk

Cigarettes

Smoke one or more packs per day 60.8 57.6 53.1 54.1 69.4 63.1 58.6 59.9 

ba b 

Marijuana 

Smoke once a month 29.2 27.7 31.0 30.8 24.9 24.0 26.5 26.3 

Smoke once or twice a week 49.6 50.8 55.1 54.4 40.6 42.0 44.4 43.9 

b a 

Cocaine

Use once a month 53.6 48.5 54.6 54.3 63.4 63.9 69.8 69.0 

b bb 

Use once or twice a week 81.8 78.5 81.6 81.6 88.0 87.0 89.9 89.6 

Alcohol

Four or five drinks nearly every day 67.2 64.5 66.3 66.4 69.7 67.3 67.7 67.9 Five or more drinks once or twice a week 49.2 44.0 46.8 47.0 45.7 41.5 41.3 41.8 

Availability

Fairly or very easy to obtain

Marijuana 53.6 61.7 56.6 56.3 71.9 77.9 77.8 77.1 

b b

Cocaine 25.8 34.6 30.4 29.9 41.3 45.8 44.6 44.2 

a a 

Crack 25.6 32.0 29.1 28.7 36.2 37.7 39.1 38.8 

a

Heroin 18.7 23.8 21.5 21.2 26.9 28.4 28.5 28.3 

Approached by someone selling drugs in past month 14.6 20.8 13.4 13.7 19.3 20.1 16.4 16.8 

b a

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

Difference between estimate and U.S. excluding CA & AZ is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and U.S. excluding CA & AZ is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1998. 
125

90714 (415B)Table 58. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco for California, by Age Group: 1995-1998 

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26 and Older 

Drug 1995 1996 1997 1998 1995 1996 1997 1998 1995 1996 1997 1998 Any Illicit Drug 9.2 11.3 9.8 9.9 14.9 17.9 19.7 17.6 4.6 5.2 5.5 4.9 

1

Marijuana/hashish 6.5 9.2 6.8 7.4 11.2 15.6 17.1 15.8 3.9 3.5 3.8 3.4 

a

Cocaine 0.6 0.8 0.7 1.1 0.7 1.7 2.3 2.1 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.8 

a

Crack 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.7 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.3 

Inhalants 2.6 0.8 1.9 1.4 0.5 0.5 1.9 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3 Hallucinogens 1.9 2.4 1.4 1.2 1.2 0.9 3.0 1.5 * 0.3 0.2 0.2 

a

PCP 0.1 * 0.0 0.0 * * * * * * * * LSD 0.8 1.1 0.6 0.3 0.2 * 1.3 0.3 * * * * 

Heroin 0.4 * 0.1 0.2 * 0.2 0.0 0.1 * * 0.4 * Nonmedical use of any

psychotherapeutic 1.5 2.3 3.2 2.2 3.9 2.1 4.8 2.7 0.9 1.5 1.6 1.3 

2 a

Stimulants 0.5 0.6 1.3 0.9 2.9 0.9 2.3 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.8 0.5 

b

Sedatives 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.4 * * 0.1 0.1 0.1 * 0.2 * Tranquilizers 0.6 * 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.1 1.2 0.1 0.4 0.8 0.5 0.3 

b

Analgesics 1.2 2.1 2.5 1.7 1.3 1.2 2.6 1.8 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.7 

Any illicit drug

 other than marijuana 5.1 4.9 5.4 4.5 6.0 4.9 8.6 5.8 2.1 2.1 2.7 2.5 

1 a

Alcohol 14.6 16.2 17.4 16.5 54.2 53.6 54.5 56.9 56.3 55.7 55.6 54.2 

“Binge” alcohol use 2.8 6.1 6.7 5.8 22.6 25.7 26.7 28.0 16.0 13.4 11.0 12.1 

3 b

Heavy alcohol use 0.5 1.6 3.3 2.8 7.1 10.7 10.0 11.4 5.6 4.4 4.3 3.6 

3b a

Cigarettes 12.1 15.0 13.7 13.6 23.6 27.8 31.9 29.2 24.0 25.9 25.2 21.6 

a

Smokeless Tobacco 0.2 0.3 0.9 0.7 3.4 2.6 3.1 2.2 1.2 1.3 0.7 1.1 

Note: The 1995-96 NHSDA samples were not designed to produce fully representative California estimates. The size and coverage (appro ximately 95% of the California population) 

sufficient to provide reasonably accurate prevalence estimates for California. Although the sample weights associated with 1995-96 NHSDA respondents from California were nprojections, analyses of the NHSDA data revealed this lack of post-stratification had little effect on estimated percentages of reported drug use. It may, however, have a significsubgroups.

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Estimate not available.

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Any illicit drug indicates use at least once of marijuana or hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescription-type psyc

1

drug other than marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana use; marijuana users who also have used any of the other listed drugs are inclNonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” alcohol use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least 1 day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time or within a couple h

3

defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of 5 or more days in the past 30 days; all heavy alcohol users also are “binge” alcohol users.

Source: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
126

90714 (416B)Table 59. Percentages Reporting About Risk and Availability of Drugs for California, by Age Group: 1995 -1998 

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26 or Older 

Drug 1995 1996 1997 1998 1995 1996 1997 1998 1995 1996 1997 1998 Perceptions of Great Risk

Cigarettes

Smoke one or more

packs per day -- 63.6 62.4 60.8 -- 72.3 69.9 69.4 -- 77.1 76.3 75.7 

Marijuana

Smoke once a month -- 30.7 29.1 29.2 -- 29.3 25.6 24.9 -- 42.3 41.2 38.4 Smoke once or twice a week -- 54.4 49.5 49.6 -- 43.9 43.3 40.6 -- 54.8 56.1 53.6 

Cocaine

Use once a month -- 54.9 54.1 53.6 -- 63.6 66.2 63.4 -- 74.6 79.1 77.5 Use once or twice a week -- 79.8 81.7 81.8 -- 83.4 89.0 88.0 -- 88.0 92.8 91.5 

a 

Alcohol

Four or five drinks nearly every day -- 69.8 68.8 67.2 -- 74.4 72.0 69.7 -- 81.9 80.8 80.4 

Five or more drinks once or twice a week -- 47.1 46.5 49.2 -- 47.5 48.7 45.7 -- 60.2 59.6 58.2 

Availability

Fairly or very easy to 

obtain Marijuana -- 56.4 53.2 53.6 -- 73.3 72.5 71.9 -- 53.1 53.0 53.9 

 Cocaine -- 32.8 28.1 25.8 -- 45.2 40.8 41.3 -- 41.2 35.0 35.9 

a a 

 Crack -- 28.5 25.9 25.6 -- 38.5 36.1 36.2 -- 37.7 33.3 34.1  Heroin -- 19.0 19.1 18.7 -- 30.9 27.6 26.9 -- 32.5 28.2 26.7 

a 

Approached by someone

selling drugs in past

month -- 15.2 18.2 14.6 -- 19.4 18.5 19.3 -- 4.4 5.7 3.7 

a 

Note: The 1995-96 NHSDA samples were not designed to produce fully representative California estimates. The size and coverage (appro ximately 95% of the California population) 

sufficient to provide reasonably accurate prevalence estimates for California. Although the sample weights associated with 1995-96 NHSDA respondents from California were nprojections, analyses of the NHSDA data revealed this lack of post-stratification had little effect on estimated percentages of reported drug use. It may, however, have a significsubgroups.

*Low precision; no estimate reported.-- Estimate not available.

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
127

90714 (419B)Table 60. Percentages Reporting Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco for Arizona, by Age Group: 1997-199

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26 and Older 

Drug 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 Any Illicit Drug 16.8 13.4 21.8 17.2 4.8 4.6 

1 a a

Marijuana/hashish 13.1 10.2 17.7 14.6 3.1 2.7 

Cocaine 1.9 2.3 3.7 3.5 0.2 1.1 

Crack 1.0 0.9 1.0 1.3 * 0.4 

Inhalants 2.9 2.1 1.8 0.9 0.2 0.3 Hallucinogens 3.3 2.3 4.0 2.3 0.4 0.6 

a

PCP 0.4 0.4 0.1 * * * LSD 1.4 1.2 1.4 1.2 0.2 0.3 

Heroin 0.4 0.2 0.2 * 0.1 * Nonmedical use of any

psychotherapeutic 3.1 2.7 5.4 2.7 1.6 1.1 

2 b

Stimulants 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.0 0.6 0.7 Sedatives 0.2 0.2 0.6 * 0.3 * Tranquilizers 0.5 0.8 1.2 0.9 0.2 0.4 

Analgesics 1.9 1.2 4.2 1.4 0.9 0.8 

b

Any illicit drug other than 

 marijuana 8.2 7.2 11.5 7.1 2.4 2.6 

1 b

Alcohol 23.7 24.7 64.3 59.9 57.5 58.4 

“Binge” alcohol use 11.0 9.5 34.2 32.7 15.6 16.2 

3

Heavy alcohol use 4.7 3.7 15.4 14.8 6.6 6.6 

3

Cigarettes 22.6 21.3 40.9 40.5 29.3 30.7 Smokeless Tobacco 1.6 1.0 5.2 5.7 2.1 1.8 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

-- Estimate not available.NOTE: The estimates in this table are based on data from quarters 2-4 of the 1997 and 1998 NHSDA surveys, and may differ from estimates presented in other tables w

 quarters.

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Any illicit drug indicates use at least once of marijuana or hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens (including PCP and LSD), heroin, or any prescri

1

used nonmedically. Any illicit drug other than marijuana indicates use at least once of any of these listed drugs, regardless of marijuana use; marijuana users who also listed drugs are included.Nonmedical use of any prescription-type stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer, or analgesic; does not include over-the-counter-drugs. 2“Binge” alcohol use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least 1 day in the past 30 days. By “occasion” is meant at the same time or w

3

other. Heavy alcohol use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of 5 or more days in the past 30 days; all heavy alcohol users also ar

Source: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
128

90714 (420B)Table 61. Percentages Reporting About Risk and Availability of Drugs for Arizona, by Age Group: 1997 and 1998 

AGE GROUP (Years)

12-17 18-25 26 and Older 

Drug 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 Perceptions of Great Risk

Cigarettes

Smoke one or more packs per day 54.2 59.1 61.4 61.8 71.1 67.7 

a

Marijuana

Smoke once a month 24.9 28.3 21.8 25.1 45.2 40.8 Smoke once or twice a week 46.6 52.7 38.5 42.8 60.0 56.0 

b

Cocaine

Use once a month 47.5 48.8 61.9 64.4 80.3 75.0 

a 

Use once or twice a week 80.0 78.8 87.4 86.6 93.7 90.3 

a 

Alcohol

Four or five drinks nearly every day 59.8 64.2 67.6 67.9 78.2 73.9 

a

Five or more drinks once or twice a  week 42.4 44.2 40.8 43.1 58.4 52.7 

Availability

Fairly or very easy to obtain 

Marijuana 64.4 60.9 78.9 77.4 56.7 59.8 

Cocaine 37.2 34.0 45.9 46.9 41.8 46.2 Crack 34.8 31.6 38.6 39.4 38.7 42.7 Heroin 26.3 24.6 29.3 30.2 32.7 35.1 

Approached by someone selling drugs

 in past month 21.1 20.8 21.2 21.6 4.4 4.0 

*Low precision; no estimate reported.

NOTE: The estimates in this table are based on data from quarters 2-4 of the 1997 and 1998 NHSDA surveys, and may differ from estimates presented in other tables w

 quarters.

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level. a

Difference between estimate and 1998 estimate is statistically significant at the .01 level. b

Source: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.